Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an act of worship. It is found in every part of the Bible. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for “thanksgiving” is used 32 times. It is in the Law, the Prophets, the historical books, and the Psalms.

“And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings. And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.”
— Leviticus 7:11–15

“When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”
— Jonah 2:7–9

“And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.”
— Nehemiah 12:27

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
— Psalm 100

In the New Testament the verb “to give thanks” is found 39 times, and the noun “thanksgiving” 15 times. It is woven throughout the Gospels and Epistles, and occurs in Acts and the Revelation.

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;”
— Matthew 26:27

“…be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
— Ephesians 5:18b–20

“And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.”
— Acts 28:15

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
— Revelation 7:9–12

Finally, Michael Farris posted the following today on his Facebook page:

“Our nation is teetering on the brink.
Our God is steadfast and unmovable.

Our nation is divided.
Our God loves the world so much that He gave us His Son so that we may be united in Him.

Our nation is bound up in fear.
God’s perfect love casts out fear.

Our nation has great natural beauty.
This is the handiwork of God.

Our nation has plentiful resources.
God is Jehovah Jireh, the one who supplies all of our needs.

Our nation has a great heritage.
This is the cumulative blessing of God on those who followed Him.

Our nation weeps.
Our God comforts.

Our nation rejoices.
Our God is joy.

Today is a national holiday. We call it Thanksgiving. We can and should give thanks for our nation, our families, our friends, and our abundance.

But the holiday is aimed at something larger and far more profound. We may give thanks FOR all these things but we give thanks TO God because in good times and in bad, He provides, He protects, and He loves.

Thanks be to God.”

[Note: Michael Farris is CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, Chancellor Emeritus of Patrick Henry College, and Chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He successfully defended my family in a precedent setting home schooling case in Federal District court in 1988.]

We have more to be thankful for than we know.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
— Ephesians 3:20–21

To God be the glory!