The Bible encourages us to be thankful to God at all times.  St. Paul encourages us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1Thessalonians 5:16) 

After Nehemiah led an effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem following their destruction by the Babylonians, he arranged for an elaborate dedication ceremony “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with music of cymbals, harps and lyres.”  He said, “I assigned two large choirs to give thanks.  One was “to proceed to the top of the wall on the right…and the second choir proceeded in the opposite direction.” (Nehemiah 12:27 – 47)

In a couple of days we will observe a national holiday for the purpose of thanking God for the many blessings he has conferred upon our nation.  This follows a precedent established by some of the earliest Christian settlors to the shores of this continent. 

Why is thanksgiving important to us individually and collectively as a people?

First, it helps us to acknowledge that we are not in complete control, but in fact dependent upon someone other than ourselves for some of the positive things that happen to us in our lives.  Both God and others contribute to many of our blessings.  Even abilities and talents that we may attribute to ourselves are given to us by God, and we should acknowledge their true origins.

Second, it is God’s will for us to acknowledge him and to be thankful for his provision, for as Paul says, giving thanks “is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)   

Third, by acknowledging God and others with thanksgiving for our needs, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.” (Philippians 4:6)

Being thankful gets us out of ourselves, brings joy and peace to our hearts, and helps align our lives with God’s will.  I continually thank God for the life he has given me, for my wife of sixty years, our children, their spouses, and their children.  This Thanksgiving we are blessed that most of us will be together to share our many blessings from God and each other’s company.     

May we pause from our busyness this week to thank the creator of all that exists for his love and provision.