A Heart of Thanksgiving
by Rev. Richard Parker
When we think of “Thanksgiving” as Americans we naturally think of an annual U.S. holiday observed on the fourth Thursday of November as a day of giving thanks and feasting: it commemorates the Pilgrims' celebration of the good harvest of 1621.
The Pilgrims “gave thanks” to whom? The Native Americans or mother earth? No! They had an abundant harvest and as Christians they comprehended the fact that God had blessed them with an abundant harvest. They understood that it was God that blessed the seed with rain and sunshine that brought about growth and a prosperous crop.
What “harvest” are you thankful for? It may depend upon your understanding of the term harvest. Don’t limit yourself just to an agricultural definition and understanding. The term has another definition that applies to all of us. The term can also mean an “outcome or consequence of any effort or series of events.” This applies to our spiritual lives and our physical lives. The apostle Paul said with confidence “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The apostle told the Thessalonians “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
May I encourage you to daily, every Sunday and every Thanksgiving Day read and implement Psalm 100:
A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has 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 to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100:1-5
The Pilgrims “gave thanks” to whom? The Native Americans or mother earth? No! They had an abundant harvest and as Christians they comprehended the fact that God had blessed them with an abundant harvest. They understood that it was God that blessed the seed with rain and sunshine that brought about growth and a prosperous crop.
What “harvest” are you thankful for? It may depend upon your understanding of the term harvest. Don’t limit yourself just to an agricultural definition and understanding. The term has another definition that applies to all of us. The term can also mean an “outcome or consequence of any effort or series of events.” This applies to our spiritual lives and our physical lives. The apostle Paul said with confidence “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The apostle told the Thessalonians “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
May I encourage you to daily, every Sunday and every Thanksgiving Day read and implement Psalm 100:
A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has 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 to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100:1-5