Time To Be Thankful
Author: Pastor Mitch Williams
November 17, 2023
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and with it, the anticipation of family, friends, and food around a bountiful table. Our family, like many others, has a Thanksgiving tradition of going around the table and allowing each person to say one thing that they’re thankful for. Like you, we are thankful for our spouse, children, health, employment, new family members and senior members. We’re thankful to live in a country like America and we’re thankful for a church that feels like family.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). Indeed, we have a lot to be thankful for this year, and the Lord has given us many gifts in our family, friendships, employment and health. But when Paul says, “We thank God for his indescribable gift!” he’s talking about something specific. Actually, Someone specific. He isn’t thanking God for things, but most importantly, for Jesus! Or to say it another way, Paul is thanking God for God.
In this season of Thanksgiving, let’s be extra mindful of all God has given to us! But be specific in your gratitude; articulate and enumerate all of the blessings in your life, because “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). But I also encourage you this Thanksgiving to thank God for God. Don’t just thank Him for what he’s given you; thank Him for who He is. The purpose of all of these earthly blessings is not that we become enamored with the gifts as an end to itself but rather to draw our eyes up to the Giver. He was the One who gave His Son so that you and I could be rescued from sin and restored to a healthy relationship with Him.
Indeed, on this Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34
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