In Everything Give Thanks

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

This past week, everyone gathered with family or friends for a time of thanksgiving. Tables and plates were filled with food….turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, desserts…. There was so much food, we all came away from the table more stuffed than the turkey.

Did you know the word “Thanksgiving” is mentioned 28 times in the Bible?

In Leviticus 7:15, God instructed the Hebrews and said,

“…thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall
not leave any of it until the morning.”

Can you imagine trying to eat EVERYTHING that was fixed for Thanksgiving on the same day?  Nothing could be left until the next morning? We’d probably all try to fix less food and smaller portions.

Thankfully, this passage of Scripture is referring to the sacrifice that they were offering to give thanks unto God and not our Thanksgiving feast.   I actually enjoy eating all those delicious leftovers for the next few days after the holidays.

Do you know when the first thanksgiving was celebrated?

If you’re like most, you will think back to the pilgrims when they first arrived in America and gathered with the Wampanoag Indians at Plymouth for an autumn harvest celebration in November of 1621. 

But did you realize there was a Thanksgiving celebration that occurred earlier than that?  There was a Thanksgiving celebration that took place even before Christ was born.

1 Chronicles chapter 16 details the first corporate Thanksgiving celebration which took place in Jerusalem after the Ark was returned to Israel.  The Ark symbolized the Presence of God and the people were rejoicing over its return.

All the people gathered as the Ark was set once again in the midst of the Tabernacle.  David delivered a Psalm of Thanksgiving in to the hand of Asaph and his brethren which they read before all the people, saying….. 

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, 

make known His deeds among the people.

Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wonderous works.

Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.

Remember His marvelous works that He hath done….”

And the Psalm of Thanksgiving went on, reminding the people to remember and think on all that God has done for them. (1 Chron 16:7-36)

The Psalm of Thanksgiving concluded with all the people saying, “Amen!” and praising the Lord.

I’m sure you may be thinking, “ok, so they gave thanks to God together.  How can that be considered the first Thanksgiving?”  Thanksgiving is a time when we gather together with family and friends, share our long list of things we’re thankful for, but most of all it’s known for food.

David and all of Israel also celebrated this Thanksgiving with food.

1 Chronicles 16:2-3

And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

And he dealt to every on of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh (i.e. meat), and a flagon of wine.

This is not referring to wine as people think of it today. 

The word ‘flagon’ come from the Hebrew word ‘asheeshaw’ meaning: something closely pressed together, that is, a cake of raisins or other comfits. (See Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance H809)

At the first Thanksgiving, King David gave to each person a loaf of bread, some meat, and a fruit cake.  We typically associate fruit cakes with Christmas, but the first fruit cake was given during a Thanksgiving celebration.   (just a little bit of information for fun)

Giving of thanks is something God wants us to do not just at the Thanksgiving holiday but all year round. He wants us to focus on being ‘thankful’.  Sometimes that can be difficult when you’re lonely, sad, and just want to cry because life has dealt you some hard blows.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This Scripture is often misquoted and misunderstood.

I had someone ask me one time “HOW can I give thanks FOR this horrible situation?” Her son had just passed away tragically and she was a grieving her loss.  The Scripture does not say you have to give thanks FOR the tragedy but you can find something to thank God for IN the situation. 

You may be thinking ‘that’s easier said than done’.  I agree and understand those thoughts.  My first husband passed away 7 years ago.  I was left to raise 3 children alone without any family near. While I’m not thankful FOR his passing, I can find things to be thankful for IN the situation.

Many people give thanks to God when He gives.
But Job gave thanks when He took.

Something to think about!

The Thanksgiving holiday may be past but an attitude of gratitude should follow us all year long.

Someone said, “When asked if my cup is half-full or half empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.” 

That is truly a grateful attitude!

I want to issue a challenge to LOOK for things to be thankful for.

IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS!  This is God’s will for us.