Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the food and the gathering of family around the table. The decorations are festive and everyone is reflective of what has transpired during the year- both good and bad. We enjoy having friends join us and as a nation join together in being thankful. When I looked at the scriptures on giving thanks or thankfulness, the predominate theme is thankfulness for God himself, his character, his wonderous deeds and the ultimate work of Christ on the cross. This reminds me how far we have strayed from the true reason for thanksgiving. The pilgrims wanted to give thanks for God seeing them through a hard year, for their harvest, their success and their lives. They attributed all of these things to the grace of God and His abundant provision.

What about you? What are your reasons for giving thanks? Is God the source of your thankfulness? This month I want to focus on God and why He alone is the best object for our praise and thanksgiving. He is worthy to be praised! 1Chronicles 16:8-10 is a song David sang when they brought the ark of the covenant back into Jerusalem. He was overjoyed and sang and danced to the Lord. He rejoiced at the presence of the Lord in their midst.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
⁹ Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
¹⁰ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Do you have deeds you know God has done this year in your life? Can or will you praise Him each day this month and speak of Him around your table? He is worthy of all our praises. Rejoice in the presences and the goodness of the Lord all month long.

Linda