A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving has always been a big holiday in my husband’s family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone on both sides of his family would make their way to Lake Oconee to celebrate Thanksgiving at his Grammy & Papa’s house. Mitchell lights up when we talk about Thanksgiving. The reality of having every one of his family members in one house on one day fills him with more joy than he even knows what to do with. When I married into the family, the Attaways graciously welcomed my family into the tradition as well. Now, the Conners & Attaways load up to my in-law’s house for Thanksgiving Day, and I can say that it has also become one of my favorite days of the year. A tradition I hope we get to carry on with our children & their families.
As much as I’m grateful for our tradition still standing, albeit a few adjustments, at the tail end of this crazy year, I’m mindful of those that will not get to participate in family Thanksgiving.
They could have been exposed to a person with COVID & don’t want to risk further exposure to family members.
They could have COVID themselves.
Their travel plans were cancelled.
They simply aren’t comfortable gathering again.
Perhaps, their life just looks different than years past…
Whatever the reason - during a season where we are to reminded to count our blessings, we consider 2020 anything but. I was looking into what the Bible had to say about being “thankful” or “giving thanks” and I was surprised by one verse in particular -
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” - Psalm 50:14-15, ESV
A sacrifice of thanksgiving. That seems paradoxical to me. Shouldn’t thanksgiving reflect a positive attitude? Shouldn’t it be genuine? Shouldn’t it be in abundance?
I believe this psalm is teaching us that what begins as our duty leads to our delight through our remembrance. He understands that we aren’t going to wake up every morning with singing and gladness. He recognizes that life isn’t peaches and ice cream. Thus, thanksgiving is not usually our natural inclination - sometimes it begins as a sacrifice. Yet, in such a sacrifice is where we find true gratitude. When we shift our mind to remember God & what he has done for us, then what began as sacrifice turns into singing.
When we remember that he provided a job for us.
When we remember that he placed us in a community with flourishing friendships.
When we remember that he pulled us out of the pit.
When we remember that he pursued our hearts to the point of death to reconcile us back to himself, and resurrected to secure that redemption.
When we remember… we can’t help but give the thanks that is due him.
He is our thanksgiving.
In light of this Thanksgiving week, I wanted to give us 10 verses that would help us remember how to be thankful beyond what 2020 had to offer. You’ll find that with every Scripture thanksgiving is paired with 1) a declaration of who God is, or 2) the faithfulness of God to his people.
When we (seemingly) have nothing else on the surface to be thankful for (there is always something to give thanks for), God remains. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and he has done great things for us (Psalm 126:3). There is reason to be grateful. Always.
I encourage you to meditate on these verses during the days leading up to Thursday. Then, answer the question - how have you experienced God’s faithfulness to you recently?
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” - Psalm 69:30
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” - Psalm 107:1 (also, 1 Chronicles 16:34)
“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” - Psalm 7:17
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” - Psalm 9:1
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
“Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the fiath, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” - Colossians 2:6-7
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High” - Psalm 50:14
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.” - Psalm 69:30-31
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” - Psalm 28:7
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” - Psalm 100:1-5