Thanksgiving – The word only has meaning when we can attach it to the behavior demonstrated in real life. In most of our present lives, we have abundance of food,material goods, family ,friends,social,financial needs, information and so on, unlike the First Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims. With so much abundance we take things for granted, until we are in trouble,or in absolute need of something. When we have abundance , we do not realize the real value of things. In those days people got gifts and new clothes or toys for their birthday,Christmas or on their special religious day some never and others three or four times a year. small items or homemade items had precious value. People were really grateful for the small mercies,although they were suffering,and had little something . On the other spectrum of life there are people who are really in need of many things including day to day food, shelter and physical and psychological needs. People who suffer through others anger,jealousy,crushed through the feet of powerful and rich,cheated in many ways . That is why the Gospel teaches to be grateful for what we do have and tend to those who do not have and share what you have.
Proverbs 19:17 – He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Acts 20:35 – I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Matthew 5:42 – Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Proverbs 22:9 – He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Luke 14:12-14 – Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
Isaiah 58:10 – And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:
Luke 12:33-34 – Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 – If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
Luke 3:11 – He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Deuteronomy 15:11 – For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Galatians 2:10 – Only [they would] that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Proverbs 14:31 – He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Proverbs 14:21 – He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
James 1:27 – Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Proverbs 28:27 – He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
The impact of Thankfulness can extend to Every area of our lives.
Being thankful motivates us to look for His purpose in our circumstances. When we see pilgrims story ,we see Gods hand directing them all the way. We can see how God strengthened and enables them to settle in a new land. If we are perceptive we can see God guiding us the same way and should be thankful in everyday of our lives.
A grateful heart reminds us of our constant dependence upon God. It changes our attitudes toward life. Same way as pilgrims were thankful even in a destitution and entreated Him to supply their needs. When we are thankful we realize he has met all our needs .
Gratitude increases our trust in God. Pilgrims had to Trust in god for everything they needed,since they had no foreknowledge of what would sustain them. when we are thankful trusting Him becomes easier. A Thankful spirit teaches us to rejoice in every situation. Like the pilgrims Apostle Paul was refined by a burning fire that yielded a spirit of pure gold.
Thankfulness transforms our anxiety into peace of God. the pilgrims had myriad reasons to fear for their lives. thanking God in plenty and in want enabled them to celebrate His faithfulness to them. When we focus our attention on gods provisions for us, we begin to see the world through a Christ centered lens. We become acutely aware that God abides with us continually and we can rest in His power.
Saying thanks makes a lasting impact. The psalmists heartfelt prayers and grateful worship were preserved in the book of Psalms. in Psalm 9:1-2 – I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart, I will tell of your wonderful deeds. the Bible encourages us to be thankful in everything. In our Joy and in our sorrows. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” -I Thess 5:18-20;It has been proven in modern days that gratitude promotes better relationships, good physical and psychological health, and good manners. “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.” -Psalm 95: 2-3; “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30; gratitude is an act of faith and done intentionally.
If we thank Him every minute of our lives still it would be never enuf for the wonderful things, he has done for us especially for the gift of Jesus and his redemption.for all the Love,mercy and Grace. there are so many things in Life we can be thankful and grateful for. the beauties and the bounties that we have from shore to shore. health,home and happiness, the wisdom that we learn,and all the loved ones in our lives who love us in return. the sunshine and laughter. All things from God work together for Good.