Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalm 95:2
Thanksgiving is key for a believer and follower of Christ. Let me give you three quick reasons why.
Our attitude
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17
Paul instructs the Colossians and us that everything we do or say should be filtered through an attitude of thanksgiving.
Our testimony
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:12
While the words “thanks” or “thanksgiving” do not explicitly appear in this verse, it is nonetheless there. Simplicity and sincerity are the reasonable outworkings of thankfulness. And that lifestyle is a testimony to the world around us.
Our obedience
[I]n everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
It may seem strange to “command” thanksgiving. Perhaps that would lead to insincere, lip service rather than a genuine sentiment. But God’s ultimate will for us is that we be conformed to Christ. Being thankful for everything is a recognition of God’s sovereignty. Christ’s earthly ministry was marked by a surrender to the Father’s will in everything. Being thankful helps move us in the right direction.
It’s important to note the distinction between being thankful IN everything versus being thankful FOR everything. Suffering, loss, and other hard times are worthy of lament. However, even in those things, we can see the hand of God at work and know He is walking through them with us.
May the realities of God’s blessings and grace be evident anew this Thanksgiving season!