Thanksgiving

Psalm 100 (NASB)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving.  And His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.  For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting.  And His faithfulness to all generations.

Thanksgiving is a unique American holiday with only a few other countries (Canada, Grenada, Netherlands, Liberia) celebrating a similar type of holiday.  While a day (actually three days) of thanksgiving was first observed by the Plymouth Rock pilgrims in December of 1621, President George Washington in 1789 declared the first Thursday of November to be observed as a day of thanks. Abraham Lincoln in 1863, responding to the 30-year efforts of Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, to set aside the fourth Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving.  In 1941 Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday.

Speaking of Abraham Lincoln and his proclamation to make the fourth Thursday of November a day of national gratitude, read the remarkable article published on November 21, 2012 by the columnist Leonard Pitts:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/21/3106927/after-profound-grief-a-nations.html.

Psalm 100 is called the psalm of thanksgiving.  You’d think that the 100^th chapter of Psalms would be something special and it certainly is.  So many wonderful and glorious phrases.  Dwell deeply on what they are claiming should be happening between you and the Lord:

§  Shout joyfully

§  Serve…..with gladness

§  Come…..with joyful singing

§  Know…..He is God

§  He has made you, you didn’t…….

§  You are His people, His sheep

§  Enter……thanksgiving

§  Give thanks

§  Bless His name

§  The Lord is good

§  His lovingkindness (mercy) is everlasting

§  His faithfulness also is everlasting

The purpose of Thanksgiving is for Americans is not to watch pro football games or eat turkey, but to think of God their Provider and gives thanks to Him for all He has done, just like the first pilgrims did.  To help you make this Thanksgiving fresher and more special, look up all these verses that declare and affirm God’s goodness to you and your need to thank Him for every aspect of your life:  I Chronicles 29:11-13, Psalm 28:7, 30:11-12, 50:23, 92:1-5, 95:1-7, 118:29; Colossians 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 5:18, I Timothy 4:4-5 and 6:17, and James 1:17.

Here’s a Thanksgiving Day prayer by Scott Waseman that I like and perhaps you will too:

Lord, so often times, as any other day.  When we sit down to our meal and pray.
We hurry along and make fast the blessing.  Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing.
We're slaves to the olfactory overload.  We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold.
But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more.  To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for.
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed.  My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head.
I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure.  Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place.  And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided.  And bless each and every person invited.  Amen