Happy Thanksgiving! Whatever we’re going through during this season, we should “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever (Ps. 136:1). We should also be grateful for the people He’s placed in our lives—giving thanks, with joy, for fellow believers who love God’s word, remembering them in our prayers (1 Thess. 1:2, 13): “For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God” (1 Thess. 3:9)? Remember—Christians are to be thankful in all things (1 Thess. 5:18), so let’s give thanks to God, this season, for those loved ones He’s blessed us with! 

 

Hey, Happy Thanksgiving! What a great season. We have two really wonderful helps in this season. First of all, God teaches us to be thankful, but we live in a country where we're given a day off to give thanks. But what God does with His people, and this is so wonderful, He's steering His people toward thanksgiving.

He's steering his people out of despondency. Think about the command in Psalm 136 verse 1, Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Paul told the Thessalonian church in everything give thanks for this is the will of God. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. And so however you're feeling right now regarding Thanksgiving, I just want to be here to encourage you to give thanks really specifically for the people in your life.

And 2nd Timothy 1, 3, Paul told Timothy, he said, I thank God whom I serve as did my ancestors with a clear conscience as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. So the mark of a believer is thanksgiving, and particularly for people. But the mark of the unbeliever is that they're not thankful. Paul says in Romans 1.21, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful. What a tragedy!

Not to be thankful. So, give thanks for the people that God has put in your life. In 1 Thessalonians 1, 2, Paul says, We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers. How about being thankful for the joy that you feel for your brethren in 1 Thessalonians 3, 9. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God?

Are you thankful for people you know whose faith is growing? In 2 Thessalonians 1, 3, Paul says we ought always to give thanks to God for you. And this is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and your love for the brethren is increasing. Are you giving thanks for people because they are beloved to you? In 2 Thessalonians 2.13, Paul says, We ought to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord.

These were people that were beloved. Think about those who you love. How about being thankful simply for God's rulership in all of your relationships. In Revelation 11 17 John says, We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was and who is to come because you have taken your great power and reigned. Well, all this to say, how about take this Thanksgiving season to give thanks for the people in your life.

Thanksgiving for the people. Paul said, be anxious for nothing 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 minds through Jesus Christ. This Thanksgiving season, give thanks for the people in your life. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

Scripture applied as a production of Church and Family Life. Visit ChurchandFamilyLife.com for more resources.