Thanksgiving by John R. Lenegar - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Preacher

Thanksgiving
John R. Lenegar "O COME, LET US SING UNTO THE LORD; LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE
ROCK OF OUR SALVATION. LET US COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH
THANKSGIVING, AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO HIM WITH PSALMS. FOR THE LORD IS A GREAT GOD, AND A GREAT KING ABOVE ALL GODS." (Psalms 95:1-3)
     When we say the word "Thanksgiving", the images of a turkey and pumpkin pie come to the minds of most people, except for those who see a giant football materialize before them. Thanksgiving Day is one of the three most popular holidays that the world loves, as do many religious people. In the first instances of a day, or days set apart for thanksgiving to God, Christians had in mind just that; thanksgiving coupled with praise. They no doubt, knew that God's word tells us to do this whether publicly, or privately. "IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU." (I Thessalonians 5:18) Genuine thanksgiving to God is not only a privilege, but a necessity for several reasons as to the benefit of a Christian.
    True, the Thanksgiving Day holiday has deteriorated to; "eat, drink, and be merry", but the original concept is correct. The words of William Bradford (Plymouth colony) reflected a desire to thank God publicly when he issued a proclamation to do so in 1621 for a three day period. We can see Christian desire and truth in the words of our first president, George Washington, as he proclaimed a thanksgiving proclamation in 1789. It began "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, TO OBEY HIS WILL, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BENEFITS, AND HUMBLY TO IMPLORE HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOR;" If only the so called truth stood today, I wonder how much of that statement would have to be deleted? Most of the "truth" floating around today is nothing more than man's inventions and the doctrines of demons. Above what man says, or does, we as Christians know God; we know His truth; and we know our duty. One of these duties is a great privilege; that of giving thanks to God at all seasons and all situations.
    I. THE GIVING OF THANKS IS A VITAL PART OF PRAYER LIFE - As we communicate with our Father in heaven, we are to do so with thanksgiving for all things in our lives as Christians, for He works all things together for us and to our good. (Romans 8:28) We are not to be bound by care as we speak to Him and present our supplications, with thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6 says: BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD." (Philippians 4:6)
     We are to give God thanks for His salvation which He has given to us. Colossians 1:12-13 tells us: "GIVING THANKS UNTO THE FATHER, WHICH HATH MADE US MEET TO BE PARTAKERS OF THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN LIGHT: WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US IN THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON." (Colossians 1:12-13)
     We are to be continually praying to our Father and always with thanksgiving. "CONTINUE IN PRAYER, AND WATCH IN THE SAME WITH THANKSGIVING." (Colossians 4:2) We observe many seasons in our lives, but there should never be a season of NO PRAYER AND NO THANKSGIVING. Likewise, it is a command to Christians to give thanks as well as petitions for all people, whatever their stations of life. "I EXHORT THEREFORE, THAT FIRST OF ALL, SUPPLICATIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS, AND GIVING OF THANKS, BE MADE FOR ALL MEN; " (1 Timothy 2:1) Should the lost thank God? Yes! He is the Source of their very breath and being. (Acts 17:24-25)
   II. THE GIVING OF THANKS ENHANCES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - It certainly does not recommend us to God, but rather enhances our understanding and desires toward Him. When we pause to thank God, we realize what all He has done for us, as well as what He has promised to do. Who are we that God is mindful of us? The more we see God's goodness and work to us, the more we have spontaneous gratitude. A Christian should permit himself, or herself time to meditate on all that God has done and will yet do. Let us constantly thank Him for His dealings with us. "HE HATH NOT DEALT WITH US AFTER OUR SINS; NOR REWARDED US ACCORDING TO OUR INIQUITIES. FOR AS THE HEAVEN IS HIGH ABOVE THE EARTH, SO GREAT IS HIS MERCY TOWARD THEM THAT FEAR HIM. AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HATH HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US." (Psalm 103:10-12)
     III. THE GIVING OF THANKS CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE AND OUR BEHAVIOR -
    As we come to realize all of God's benefits to us, and that He is our total Source and Provision, we can do naught, but praise and thank Him. Colossians 2:6-7 says: "AS YE HAVE THEREFORE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS, SO WALK YE IN HIM: ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM, AND STABLISHED IN THE FAITH, AS YE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, ABOUNDING THEREIN WITH THANKSGIVING." (Colossians 2:6-7) Every part of our conduct, whether work, play, worship, or any activity should be done as unto the Lord with thanksgiving. "AND WHATSOEVER YE DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS GIVING THANKS TO GOD AND THE FATHER BY HIM." (Colossians 3:17) Now we know that in every situation God is in control. He is working His will, whether it is sad and painful, or happy and peaceful. God tells us in everything to give thanks. Thank Him for the good that He will bring out of the event. Again, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us: "IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
   IV. THE GIVING OF THANKS PRECIPITATES PRAISE - How we need more of this expression of worship today! Who can but praise God when he, or she begins to thank God for everything in and around us? The very works of God that surround us should always evoke our thanks. God is overwhelming, yet He cares for us and has called us to Himself. "O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD; FOR HE IS GOOD: FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER. O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE GOD OF GODS: FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER. O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OF LORDS: FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER." (Psalm 136:1-3) Likewise we should praise and thank God for His creation and His provisions to such sinners as we are. Read the entire 104th Psalm. Likewise, we should praise and thank God for the communion, fellowship, and rest, or peace of which the world knows nothing. Note David's words in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13: "WHEREFORE DAVID BLESSED THE LORD BEFORE ALL THE CONGREGATION: AND DAVID SAID, BLESSED BE THOU, LORD GOD OF ISRAEL OUR FATHER, FOR EVER AND EVER. THINE O LORD, IS GREATNESS, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, AND THE VICTORY, AND THE MAJESTY: FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE HEAVEN AND IN THE EARTH IS THINE; THINE IS THE KINGDOM, O LORD, AND THOU ART EXALTED AS HEAD ABOVE ALL. BOTH RICHES AND HONOR COME OF THEE AND THOU REIGN EST OVER ALL; AND IN THINE HAND IS POWER AND MIGHT; AND IN THINE HAND IT IS TO MAKE GREAT, AND TO GIVE STRENGTH UNTO ALL. NOW THEREFORE, OUR GOD, WE THANK THEE, AND PRAISE THY GLORIOUS NAME." (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
   V. THE GIVING OF THANKS IS AN ETERNAL ACTIVITY - We shall never cease. Our gratitude will be more perfectly displayed in our eternal setting where we shall see His face and serve Him. All glory, power, and honor unto the Ancient of Days; unto the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Beloved, because of this, we should make the giving of thanks a daily discipline that we do not fail to practice. Remember Daniel who in the midst of heathen and vain life around him, never failed to praise God regularly. (Daniel 6:10)
     Certainly it benefits us to give thanks to God in many different ways. It sharpens our understanding, it resists pride and arrogance, and it displaces worldliness. We are to do it always in private and certainly in public at every opportunity every day. "I WILL GIVE THEE THANKS IN THE GREAT CONGREGATION: I WILL PRAISE THEE AMONG MUCH PEOPLE." (Psalm 35:18)
    Great is our God, and, indeed, greatly to be praised throughout the ages of ages.