“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)
For followers of Jesus, Thanksgiving is not just a special day on the calendar; it is a way of life and a key component of our worship. Christians can be the most thankful people on the planet because Jesus has forgiven our sin and promised us a Home in Heaven.
No matter how difficult life gets, or what tragedies we face and losses we suffer, we can always rejoice in God’s salvation that comes to us by His grace through our faith in Jesus.
Thanksgiving helps alleviate anxiety. The Apostle Paul wrote, “do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
This same Paul was in prison with Silas, praying and singing hymns to God around midnight. (You can read the story in Acts 16.) In response to their prayer and worship, God caused an earthquake to open the prison and set the prisoners free.
Two of the most powerful words in our vocabulary are “Thank You.” When people show gratitude to us, we want to do more to help them. Likewise, as we give thanks to God, He delights in blessing us. Our praise invites His power in our lives.
Pastor Kent Babbey
Blenheim Baptist Church