Thanksgiving is not just a holiday for overeating and sleeping through football games. Thanksgiving is a spiritual discipline that leads to deeper maturity and greater strength in coping with the ever changing currents of life. Here are some passages in the Old Testament about giving thanks.
PRAYER: O Generous and Gracious God, thank you for the many ways you bless me. May I be a blessing to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday – Genesis 8:15-22
I have not grasped how traumatic it must have been for Noah and his family. Surely, they had friends and neighbors, but they were obedient to God. And when the flood was over, and dry ground reappeared, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices to God. God was so delighted with Noah’s gratitude, God promised never to destroy the earth by flood again. Could it be that your thanksgivings can inspire God to promise more blessings? Could it be that your worship triggers God’s generosity? How will you give thanks?
Tuesday – 1 Chronicles 16:8-24
The song goes farther than verse 24. The Ark contains some of the most sacred relics to the Hebrew people. Because they lost the Ark in battle, (see 1 Samuel 4) it had been in enemy hands for a long time. Now King David wanted to bring it to the holy city, Jerusalem. So it was truly a special occasion. So David composes a song of Thanksgiving. What are the qualities about God for which David gives thanks? Can we still thank God for the same qualities today?
Wednesday – 2 Chronicles 5:2-14
Short song – apparently, King Solomon was not the song writer his father, King David, was. King Solomon finishes the Temple and brings the ark into its holy place inside. They celebrate in praise. What do they give thanks to God for? Are these appropriate for thanksgiving today?
Thursday – Isaiah 42:10-12
Scholars believe this part of Isaiah was composed after the people were conquered by Babylon troops and forced into exile. Yet, these are words of hope, of faith, and even thanksgiving. What is the power of thanksgiving when everything goes wrong? How does the spiritual discipline of thanksgiving in difficult times transform our attitudes?
Friday - Nehemiah 9:1-8
Actually, the whole chapter is their song. Nehemiah and the people celebrated the completion of the rebuilding of the wall, and the reading of the Law. It was a national day of confession as well as thanksgiving for God’s blessings. The song is a history of how God has dealt graciously with the people since the beginning. What would happen if you put together a song of the history of God’s blessing for you and your family?
Saturday – Ezra 3:8-13
Nehemiah led the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Ezra led the rebuilding of the Temple. How did the people respond as the foundations were laid once again? Why? How do you respond when something valuable once lost, is rebuilt again? Not only does God do the amazing thing, God accomplishes it through the commitment of people. How can your commitment today honor God and bless others?