“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart?”
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“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart?”
Written By:
Pastor David Grove
Thanksgiving is upon us, and it’s a time that we can begin the holiday traditions that we have grown up with. Many will gather with family around the table, eat things that we know we shouldn’t and will regret later that day as well as taking some time to relax and watch the football game and oh yeah, my favorite tradition is watching the Macy’s Day Parade. All these traditions are great, and I look forward to them every year but, there is one thing that is missing and it’s what the true reason for Thanksgiving is all about, giving “Thanks” to God for all His blessings. Many countries celebrate Thanksgiving, but America is unique in its celebration. Our day of giving thanks goes back to 1621 when the settlers and the American Indians joined together as one and gave thanks to God for all that He provided and especially His protection upon them from such a difficult year. There are nearly 150-200 phrases of giving thanks or being thankful to God in the Bible, depending on what translation you use. But one Psalm stands out that specifically gives a command to those who follow God with a beautiful promise and that’s, Psalm 100. There are only five verses in this Psalm, and it takes under a minute to read even if you are reading slow, believe me I timed it. It is a Psalm with a call followed by comfort, a Psalm of endurance and encouragement and it is a wonderful Psalm to reflect upon not only during this time of year but every day. Without further ado here it is.
Psalm 100, (NIV) 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Unfortunately, I don’t have 45 minutes to give you the entire message and meaning but I want to point out several things. First, the word “Lord” is the Hebrew word, “Yahweh” this is the personal name of God that is given in the original text. Verse 3 says to “know that the Lord is God”. So, when you combine the collective call for His people from verses 1 & 2 when it says to; “shout for joy to the Lord”, and “worship the Lord with gladness” it is simply saying that the one you serve and the one that you have a personal relationship with is the one true God. He is the creator of all things, and we are created in His image and likeness. If that’s not personal and if that’s not something we can give thanks for, I don’t know what is.
The Israelites used this Psalm of praise when they entered the temple. They knew they had to come before God, their protector and provider with open hearts of praise. Praise from within their hearts and praise upon their lips, shouting for all to hear that they serve the God who loves them, cares for them and who they know personally. The promise is found in verse 5 for those who shout, worship and know that He is God. He is good to those who love Him, (Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.”). What a beautiful promise this is. Here is the encouragement we all need, “His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.”
As Pastor’s we usually say, “in closing” and that may normally mean another 30 minutes but not this time. In closing, let us remember, reflect and respond to the call within this Psalm this Thanksgiving and I can guarantee you that this will not only be the greatest time of giving thanks you have ever had, but it will also be the greatest life that you will ever live. May God truly bless you and your family and always remember to keep, “JESUS FIRST” in All things.
With JOY IN JESUS,
Pastor David