Thanksgiving and Praise!
Dear Friends,
It is altogether fitting that the approaching Christmas season – celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is preceded by “overflowing thanksgiving and praise:”
Psalm 107:21-22 NKJV (emphasis mine)
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
Hebrews 13:15 AMPC (emphasis mine)
Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is
the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV (emphasis mine)
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
and Your faithfulness every night…
Psalm 100:4 (emphasis mine)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
We, who belong to Jesus Christ, express our love, faith and confidence in God when we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise.
The idea of a "sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise" seems like a contradiction in terms. Sacrifice often implies giving up something valuable, while praise usually suggests an overflowing joy from a grateful heart. Yet, in the spiritual realm, they're deeply connected.
Thanksgiving and praise can be easily offered when life goes our way. When God blesses us, it's natural to sing His praises, worship Him, and speak of His goodness because we have experienced it so wonderfully. This kind of praise, while valuable, costs us nothing – it is not “a sacrifice” of praise.
However, when life takes a downturn (serious health problems, broken relationships, wayward children, grief, loss or financial crises), praising God becomes most challenging. In these moments, God might seem distant; praising Him requires personal sacrifice! We often fail to recognize that in the tests, trials and troubles of life, God is actually blessing us as we humbly look to Him! He does so by maturing and strengthening us in the faith.
It is an act of faith to offer praise to God when we don't fully comprehend what is happening to us through dark and dire circumstances. In such desperate times, we cry out to the Lord for help – trusting in His goodness, faithfulness and lovingkindness – despite the fierce storms of adversity surrounding us! To thank and praise the Lord through the pain and the problems of life deepens our faith, honors God, and aligns us with His life-giving Word of hope!
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him…
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…
Hebrews 13:15 urges us to “constantly” offer this sacrifice. This means our thanksgiving and praise shouldn't be conditional on our limited understanding of God's work in our lives. Isaiah 29:13 warns against “empty praise,” reminding us that true praise comes from a devoted heart, not just lips uttering the right words.
Isaiah 29:13
“These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.”
Authentic thanksgiving and praise flows from a pure, humble, worshipful and faith-filled heart, regardless of our circumstances (see Acts 16:23-25 when Paul and Silas worship God in jail). It rises from a spirit that chooses to honor God despite life's pain.
When we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, we must also be faithful to our vows – that is, our commitments to God.
Psalm 50:14-15 (of Asaph)
Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
It is profound to see how genuine thanksgiving and praise are “interwoven,” reflecting a deep, resilient faith that honors God in all seasons and circumstances. Our journey of faith with the Lord progresses from simple gratitude to profound spiritual depth!
In this season of thanksgiving and praise to God, let us also take the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to those special people the Lord has placed in our lives. In Romans 13:7, Paul enjoins us to give to others what is due: respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. They are the ones who have loved us, taught us, counseled us, cared for us and sown sacrificially into our lives. They are precious gifts our Lord has so graciously given us! We have so much to be thankful for!
May the Lord richly bless you and your family with His peace and presence in this wonderful season!
Pastor Paul