Thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” NKJV

Thankfulness is not based upon circumstances or feelings but upon the character of God. It is not simply an emotional response but an act of the will. It is the will of God for you to be thankful. You choose to be thankful; no matter what it is you are facing because you know that God is loving, faithful, and is working out His will in you for His pleasure. Thanksgiving is found in Christ Jesus. It is connected to praying without ceasing because it is out of continual communion with God that we can walk in thanksgiving.

Paul commands us in Philippians 4:6-7,“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving results in God’s peace that we do not understand because it flows from our heart, even in the midst of challenging times.

In Nehemiah 6:15, despite ridicule, opposition, lies, accusations and threats of the enemy, Jeremiah and the children of Israel finish rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem from burnt stones. In Nehemiah 12: 27 they brought to Jerusalem the Levites to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. Verse 31 says that they appointed two large thanksgiving choirs who walked in opposite directions around the walls of Jerusalem giving thanks to God until they came together at the house of God as one great choir of thanksgiving to glorify God.

It concludes in Nehemiah 12:43, “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.” Thanksgiving produces an atmosphere of celebration that brings glory to God.

Revelations 7:11-12 says, “All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,

Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

Be to our God forever and ever.

Amen."

This Thanksgiving, let us join the hosts of heaven in celebration and give thanks to Him who is worthy of all praise, glory and honor, for He has redeemed our lives from destruction and clothed us with grace and peace that we may stand and declare His glory in the earth.

Andy Clark