Being Thankful

In my morning devotion I read the words from Psalm 7, which are the words of king David. In verse 17 David says, “I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” The holidays can be a challenge for many people because they are faced with new struggles; perhaps the loss of a loved one, a new place of employment, or just simply being down on life. It’s hard sometimes to get out of our own heads and just enjoy the moment the Lord has placed in our path. Thanksgiving is still one holiday I enjoy because there seems to be no consumer attachment to it. Yes, many will buy special food for the occasion but that would be the case any day if you are to eat. It might be that the sales of ham and turkey are up during Thanksgiving, but no one is really worried much about gifts, or the hustle and bustle of getting that last gift before Christmas morning arrives. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas and enjoy it too! I just think Christmas has become too commercialized and our focus as Christians has been redirected to things that are of much less importance. Thanksgiving gives us a special opportunity to be around people for the sole purpose of being grateful for the things God has placed in our lives. There’s absolutely no commitment to bringing a gift, other than perhaps a pan of beans or some baked rolls if you are feeling generous. We can gather around the table and eat a meal with friends and family and discuss what it really means to be thankful for the things the Lord has placed in our lives. Such things as Psalm 7:17 mentions. “I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness.” Had it not been for the righteousness of Jesus we would all be in a lost condition without hope. When was the last time you thanked the Lord for His righteous salvation brought about by the work of Jesus? Perhaps Thanksgiving, being it is a holiday to be thankful, would be a great staring place for you to thank the Lord for His great provision of salvation in Christ. In fact, David finishes this verse with, “And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Does the salvation you enjoy in Christ make you want to sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High? I want to encourage you to set a new tradition this year at your dinner table and talk about these things for a few moments before beginning to eat the food the Lord provided for you. After all, it is an opportunity the Lord has given you to engage in a conversation with someone—a family member or neighbor you have invited to be a part of your Thanksgiving tradition—for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Remember, it’s a blessing Being Thankful.