We are in the week of Thanksgiving here in the United States. A day that is a national holiday and filled with parades, too much food, and football. Starting on Thanksgiving evening (or very, very early on Friday morning) the Black Friday sales begin. I have always found it a bit ironic that a holiday meant to celebrate thankfulness is followed by a day that is known for its greed and bad behavior. Did you know the Bible has something to tell us about thankfulness?

Here are five Bible verses about thankfulness:

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:2-3

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What I gather from these verses is that thankfulness is to be a normal posture of life in Christ, not just something we think about for a day or two between Halloween and Christmas. We are to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise. We should be thankful for God’s provision and the sacrifice of Jesus for us. We are to be thankful that we can never outrun God’s love. We are to be thankful in our every day prayer times. When we are thankful, anxiousness tends to be less.

We are to be people who are thankful in every season of life. It is to be something that we demonstrate in our daily lives. It is to be something that in part of our very nature in Christ Jesus. Let us become more intentional about being thankful each and every day as we grow closer to Christ.

~On the journey together,
Pastor Todd