Tomorrow, Thursday, November 22 is the traditional Thanksgiving
Day in the US.
This year, instead of their coming home we will
visit one of our son’s places where two other daughters in the area come to join
us to thank God in view of the fact that the final exam week is approaching.
The other son’s family is in Los Angeles and they cannot join us unfortunately because
of their weekend work schedule.
I meditated on God’s blessing bestowed on me and my
family past years and gave thanks to the Lord Jesus for what He has done for me
on the Cross, which is the greatest blessing that I have ever received from
anyone.
An anonymous writer said;
“Be thankful that you don't already have
everything you desire.
If
you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be
thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be
thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be
thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for
improvement.
Be
thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and
character.
Be
thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be
thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.
It is
easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.”
The theme of Thanksgiving is found throughout the
Bible, and perhaps nowhere more so than in the Psalms. Psalm 103 is a great psalm of thanksgiving.
We read in, Psalm 103:1-5;
“Praise
the Lord, O my soul;
All
my inmost being, praise His Holy name.
Praise
the Lord, O my soul,
And
forget not all His benefits
Who
forgives all your sins
And
heals all your diseases,
Who
redeems your life from the pit
And
crowns you with love and compassion,
Who
satisfies your desires with good things
So
that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
This psalm, attributed to King David, begins with
words of personal thanksgiving, and I think that's where most of us begin too.
If you had to make a list of what you are thankful
for, where would you start? Probably
with the ways in which you have personally been blessed. God blesses us with
salvation and health and with all the good things we need. The greatest
blessings may be the ones we most take for granted.
REASONS TO PRAISE GOD
Very simply, we praise God because He is worthy of
our praise (1 Chronicles 16:25; Revelation. 5:11-14). He is the Alpha and Omega, the
Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our Creator,
Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Judge, Defender and much more.
Another foundational reason to praise God is simple
obedience. The Bible says God is a “jealous” God Who demands and desires our
praise. “You shall have no other gods before Me,” says the first commandment (Deuteronomy 6:7).
As the psalmist said, “Let everything that has
breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). As we praise God, we will discover
incredible benefits for our lives. That’s because human beings were created by
God to praise Him (Isaiah 43:7, Matthew 21:16). Due to man’s original sin,
however, this relationship was disrupted.
Praising God helps restore us to that right
relationship, for God actually dwells in the praises of His people (Psalm
22:3). As we draw near to the Father in praise, He draws near to us (James
4:8). Praising God is also our ultimate destiny. When the Lord Jesus Christ
returns again to earth, all creation -- including prideful mankind -- will
recognize His glory and praise Him ( Philippians 2:9-11).
PRAISE FOR PROTECTION
God also gives us assurances of additional blessings
as we praise Him. When we praise God, He honors us as His children, and provides
His loving protection (2 Samuel 22:47-51). Failure to praise God, however,
leaves us out of fellowship with God and out of His divine protection (1 Samuel
2:27-32).
Our praise can also serve as a powerful witness to
those who do not know the Lord (1 Peter 2:9). Also, God can work miraculously
through our praises. The ancient walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving
victory to God's people, as a result of shouts of praise (Joshua 6:1-21). The
prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas praised God (Acts 16:25-26).
Quoted
partially from http://www.collinsegbe.com/
We read in, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 saying to us;
“Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
One of the unknown quotes well said;
“If you never thank God after every smile....
Then why do you blame him for every tear...?”
Dear
readers, do you wish to obey God’s will?
Let
us thank and praise our Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior 365 days, not just for the Thanksgiving Day
of the year.
Amen.