With Thanksgiving

“That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭26‬:‭7‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“They shall also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful b
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭22‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB2020‬

My son-in-law, Ben Ward, was teaching at a Sunday morning service recently, and he shared a new meaning of “thankful” from an old usage. It was new for me, and I was so blessed by it and it has become part of my awareness when giving thanks.  

It means worthy to be rewarded. That when we thank someone, we are giving them a reward.  I thought that was so powerful. And not just good manners, but a spiritual reward.

Middle English thanken, from Old English þancian, þoncian “give thanks; to recompense, to reward,”

As believers, our attitude determines our altitude. The revelation and realization of our approach and entrance into the presence of God is an attitude of gratitude. It is fundamental to our worship and entering into the divine presence.

Whenever we give thanks, the gates of Heaven open up to us. You might say it is the password to the heavenly presence of our God. It is with thanksgiving for all He has done, for every blessing, for our every breath, in everything. When we come before Him, accompanied by the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the gates of heaven are opened. He has done so much for us — we have not deserved nor are worthy of such goodness and favor.

During the Charismatic movement, when I was first being led by the Holy Ghost into His Baptism, those who were filled with Him declared, “Thank You, Jesus!” Outside of prayer, I had never heard Him thanked so exuberantly. The overflow from their spirit was, “Thank You, Jesus.” It was the declaration and proclamation of what He has done for us. A true sacrifice of worship.

It is fundamental in our relationship to Him, it has eternal value, and will never cease. When Jesus fed the five thousand, He took the five loaves and two fish, looked to heaven, and simply gave thanks. The Father received His sacrifice and opened the windows of heaven, multiplying that which was given. He fed all who were there with leftovers, 12 baskets full: take-home boxes for the 12 disciples.

Oh, the power of the attitude of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says to “Give thanks in all circumstances,” and Psalm 100:4, which encourages entering God’s gates with thanksgiving. Other verses frequently cited are 1 Chronicles 16:34, which states, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,” and Philippians 4:6; advising us to make requests to God with thanksgiving. We are instructed that when we pray, thanksgiving is essential. Giving Him thanks before asking Him for anything else is the right order.

Thanksgiving, the pleasure and joy it brings to our God.

Hallelujah, let us give thanks now and forever, and this day a feast commemorating and celebrating all He has done.

Blessings, KC