What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? Eating, football, long weekend, shopping, history or family? Thanksgiving is much more than any of this. It is a day for giving God thanks. For God’s people, everyday ought to be Thanksgiving Day!
In the Old Testament we find a Song of Thanksgiving – Psalm 100. Whether you express your thanksgiving personally or corporately, daily or weekly, there are five key concepts in Psalm 100 that describe the essence of Thanksgiving.
1. Joy.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. (Psalm 100:1)
We are to show joyfulness.
Isaiah 12:6 tells us “Cry aloud and shout for joy.” We don’t have problems shouting our enthusiasm at a football game, but we very seldom raise our voice in church.
I watched a film clip of the victory celebration in New York City when World War 2 ended. That celebration was a shout of praise. The war was over – the victory had been won. We need to shout praises to God. We know who wins the eternal war.
2. Gladness.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalm 100:2)
When we come before the Lord, we are to do it with gladness not sadness.
There are times when people come to church almost like they are coming to a funeral service. We need to come to church every Sunday like we are coming on Easter Sunday. We need to celebrate the fact that we serve a risen Savior.
3. Dependence.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)
This verse shows us three roles of God:
God is Lord. We are to make Him rule, master, and boss of our lives. We have no more control over God than we do the weather. He is Lord.
God is Creator. If you create something, you are greater than what you have created. You have every right over that which you have made.
God is Shepherd. God guides us to the place of security, plenty and rest. We have what we need because our God supplies all our needs.
4. Thankfulness.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4)
You can’t give thanks unless you are thankful. Thanksgiving is what flows out of a thankful heart. But there is a difference between being thankful and giving thanks.
In Luke 17 Jesus healed ten lepers. But only one of them turned around and gave thanks to Jesus. I’m sure the others were thankful, but Jesus commended him because he actually gave thanks.
We need to be thankful for what God has done. Tell Him and tell others.
5. Gratitude.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
Three reasons to be grateful. 1- The Lord is good. 2- The Lord’s mercy is everlasting. 3- The Lord’s truth endures forever.
Our praise, our thanksgiving and our worship needs to be directed to God. We need to be thankful for what He has done.
A man named Jack Hinton was on a short term mission trip at a leper colony on the island of Tobago. One of his duties was to lead singing during the worship times. One Sunday, there was time for one more song, so he asked if anyone had a request. A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit turned around. He said “It was the most hideous face I had ever seen. The woman’s nose and ears were entirely gone. The disease had destroyed her lips as well. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, ‘Can we sing ‘Count your Many Blessings’” Overcome with emotion, Hinton left the service. He was followed by another team member who said, “Jack, I guess you’ll never be able to sing that song again.” “Yes I will,” he replied, “but I’ll never sing the same way.”