As a nation we celebrate on this day to especially give thanks to the Lord for being a part of one nation under God and for the innumerable blessings He has given us.
The word “thanksgiving” is mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible 30 times.
Hebrew: ydh
This is the main word for thanks in the Old Testament. The concept of thanks comes up 102 times in the Old Testament, and this word is used 72 of those times. Here’s the definition:
Acknowledging what is right about God in praise and thanksgiving (1 Chron. 16:34). It can also mean a right acknowledgment of self before God in confessing sin (Lev. 26:40).
Greek: eucharisteo
Thankfulness comes up 71 times in the New Testament, and most of those instances are this word, or related to this word. The definition:
To show oneself grateful, to be thankful, to give thanks used in a religious sense with or without reference to God.
This term comes from Jesus’s giving thanks before eating his last supper with the apostles (1 Cor. 11:24).
We have so much to be thankful for that our words are limited to adequately express our hearts to the Lord! Here are some of the things for which we are thankful.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us. —Psa.103:12
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. —Lam. 3:22-23
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. —Psa. 103:4-5
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. —Eph. 3:17-21
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
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 lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations. —Psa. 100
Although we may name many specifics of thanks to the Lord, the list would be limited. We do not know all the numerous ways for which we are overwhelmed with His mercies which are new every morning. We give thanks to you, Christ our Lord and Savior! HALLELUJAH!!
Reuben & Carmen Sequeira