Thank You Lord

Thank You Lord

 

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

 

On October 3, 1789, President George Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day. His proclamation began:

 

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

 

The many signal favors of Almighty God, hallelujah! And so, nearly 220 years later we still gather around our tables to celebrate a day of giving thanks for all God has provided. Working backward in the key verse above we see God reminding us that we need to be thankful. It is a shame that given all God has done and continues to do for us, that sometimes we can forget this simple instruction; "be thankful." The Bible is replete with verses about being thankful before almighty God. Here are some examples of the level of thanksgiving we are called to as believers in Christ:

 

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thesselonians 5:18

 

It is the will of God for us to give thanks in all circumstances, not just when we feel like it. God is not looking for believers who are thankful only when they get their way but who recognize the sovereignty of God in their lives. The true test comes when things are not going well and yet we still praise Him!

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15