Thanksgiving is many things to different people: a day to pig-out, holiday break-away from school, no work four-day weekend, and family gathering.
And GET READY TO RUMBLE—Alabama versus Auburn football game! Of course, there are also other football games.
But Thanksgiving is how we honor God.
I am reminded of Philippians 4:6 Good News Translation (GNT), “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.”
The word, thanks, is found in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible 71 times. The word is also found in the New International Version (NIV) 71 times. These expressions of thanks to God include: giving thanks for food, salvation, “brethren beloved of God,” every word or deed done in God’s name, and God’s great power and sovereignty.
God is deserving of our thanks, devotion, worship, praise, service, and love. We give thanks for his bountiful blessings and harvest.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday to thank God for blessed citizens and a prosperous country. Every day God sends is a day of thanksgiving. All resources and generosities flow from him.
I thank God for his innumerable blessings: life, provisions, family, friends, those who hope in him, and those who will discover him.
It is important to thank God for all things, including our Christian sisters and brothers and the Christian missionaries who are far and near.
And I thank God for you.
Romans 14:6 (GNT) says, “Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God.”
Whether your meal will consist of collard greens, stuffing, turkey, ham, and other trimmings or a vegetarian salad, giving thanks to God is in order.
Have a great four-day, workless weekend, no school-day sleep in, and family reunion.
ROLL TIDE ROLL!
But make sure you don’t forget to do as the psalmist says in Psalm 107:1 (KJV), “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good.”
Happy Thanksgiving Day, 11-28-2019!