Bob Jones Sr. wrote, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is well- nigh hopeless.” That is a very powerful statement. We are to have a “gratitude attitude”! What a difference there is when an individual is thankful rather than unthankful. We are to celebrate Thanksgiving this week. What a great title for a holiday. It is certainly a Biblical title.
Psalms 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Psalms 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Psalms 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalms 147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving;
“A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”
– John MacArthur
“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.”
– Tim Keller
“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, so oftentimes, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray
We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing
We’re slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold
But Lord, I’d like to take a few minutes more
To really give thanks to what I’m thankful for
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head
I’m thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they’ll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You’ve blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life’s greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I’m ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You’ve provided
And bless each and every person invited. Amen!