Good morning on this Saturday, November, 19th. This Thursday is Thanksgiving, the special holiday set aside to give thanks. Here are a few facts about Thanksgiving followed by some Scriptural admonitions enjoining us to constantly give thanks.
(1) By the fall of 1621, when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, only half of those who had sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower were still alive. They gave thanks for their lives as well as the harvest.
(2) The original celebration lasted three days.
(3) Their cuisine was wild turkey and venison.
(4) The Wampanoag Indians had taught the Pilgrims to cultivate the land and were invited to join them for the Thanksgiving celebration. About 90 of them joined the Pilgrims for the celebration feast.
(5) The Pilgrims had survived many hardships including disease, a harsh winter, and loss of many loved ones and friends; yet they counted their blessings and gave thanks to God.
(6) The Pilgrims had come to this country seeking religious freedom and were also known as Puritans. Although they had endured many setbacks on their road to liberty, they now were free to worship and serve the Lord as they desired. This religious freedom was an integral part of their thanksgiving.
The Bible commands us to give thanks (Psalm 50:14). Jesus regularly practiced thanksgiving (Matt. 11:25, 26:27, John 11:41). We are to give thanks in both private and public worship (Dan. 6:10, Psalm 35:18). We are admonished to give thanks before we eat (John 6:11), for the successful completion of an undertaking (Neh. 12:31, 40), always (Eph. 1:16, 5:20), and in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). Thanksgiving should be accompanied by prayer (Phil. 4:6, Col. 4:2), praise (Psm. 92:1, Heb. 13:15), and intercession for others (1 Tim. 2:1, 2 Tim. 1:3). I challenge you to search through the Scriptures, especially the Psalms, for the many things for which we are to give thanks. You will be surprised at how long the list is and will undoubtedly realize that God wants our lives to literally be filled constantly with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not to be merely a one-day celebration, but rather a way of life practiced every day. Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Getting Your Prayers Answered. I'll look forward to seeing you there.
Mel Brown