In Revelation 11, we see the picture of 24 elders before God’s throne worshipping and giving thanks. They were giving thanks to God for His justice. It appears that they will always be before the throne, thanking God.One of the offerings under the law was specifically a thank offering. They were to be offered at the place God chose for his name to dwell. From the period of the Judges until the temple was built, the offering were given at Shiloh. God then chose that place where offering would be made (2 Chr. 7:12).The Old Testament has a recurring theme of thankfulness to God. This one sentence:“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” This phrase occurs 81 times in the Old Testament. Giving thanks to God is NO SMALL MATTER.Yet, we give thanks as part of our everyday interaction with others. We sometimes thanks others for the smallest of favors. Maybe it’s perfunctory and obligatory, meaning nothing to me or the person to whom I said “thanks.” But if I fail to do this, somehow it bothers me.Giving thanks is part of our relationship with God. If fact, all of our examples found in Scripture about giving thanks—all are giving thanks to God. Several times Paul told others that he “thanked God for them.”Paul tells us that the purpose of thanksgiving is to glorify God. “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Cor 4:15). Giving thanks is first and foremost our honor given to God. Yes let us thank others—but think of God first.Thanksgiving to God should be a part of our everyday life, not just on one special day. Although it is a good custom for our society—it MUST be an everyday part of who we are. Paul tells us, “ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18 ).God doesn’t want us to be thankful only when things are going well, He desires that we be thankful for the good and the bad. We are to give thanks in all circumstances.As we celebrate the many blessing we have on this “Thanksgiving Day” let us remember to first and foremost thank God.My advice ...
