A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)

A Time Of Thanksgiving

Two of the most powerful words in any language is “Thank you.” It is a simple phrase yet powerful in its meaning. There is a feeling of gratitude given with an acceptance of grace received. When a kind deed is done followed by the expression of thanks, it creates an atmosphere of peace and harmony. In human language, to offer thanksgiving is the highest compliment shared between two people. The deepest expression of thanksgiving is discovered when the heart opens the portals of heaven to see the love and kindness of the Lord. There is nothing higher, nobler and completely filling as accepting the gifts of a benevolent God who created, formed, and fashioned every part of humanity. Without the blessings of the Lord, life would not exist. It is not by chance the sun rises and sets. The precision of the universe is determined by the counsel of the Creator. Perfection is found in nature from a perfect designer. The breath of life comes from the hand of God. Nothing in the existence of man continues without the will of the One who formed men from the dust of the ground. He is God. Man is a creation. Thanksgiving is the spirit of those who know the difference.

There are abundant reasons for men to give thanks to the Lord. Gladness must fill the hearts of the grateful who see and know the power of God. As the creation and those formed by a greater hand, all men must acknowledge their place in the scheme of God’s design to form man for His glory. The Lord created man to sing the praises of the Creator. A thankful heart sees the thumbprint of God deeply impressed upon his life in every way. There is nothing that exists that is not established by the will of the Father. It is not the Lord God that comes into the presence of men but those who are formed appearing before the might and power of the potter who fashioned them from dust. Thanksgiving leads the soul to know that the Lord, He is God. He made man. There is nothing made by men that rivals the power of God’s creation. Throughout history, men have created great edifices and monuments. The irony is the world is the true wonder and man had nothing to do with its creation. All that men can say of themselves is they are sheep serving the will of the eternal Shepherd. Who can ascend into heaven to challenge the Lord? The greatest feat accomplished by humanity was to put a man on the moon. Big deal. God holds the universe in the palm of His hand. Who deserves more thanksgiving – God or men?

Knowing the power of God brings a man to enter the presence of his Maker with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. There is none so great as the Lord and man must know that. Worship is when the soul stands before the Lord and blesses the holy name of God. The Lord is good because He is goodness. All men should be thankful for the goodness of God. The mercy of the Lord is without end. It is everlasting. His unfailing love continues forever, and His truth has remained the same since the beginning of time. When the soul of man looks at God and sees His goodness, His mercy, and His truth; what else can a man do but express thanksgiving? The psalmist suggests this kind of thanksgiving is best served with a shout of joy and the sound should fill the earth. Happy Thanksgiving. Let God know what you are thankful for. Serve the Lord.