Biblical Thanksgiving... How, When and Why

Ah, Thanksgiving… the day we set aside each year to eat unhealthy portions of turkey, potatoes with gravy, vegetables and a smorgasbord of deserts!

It is a day to be thankful, yet it seems Thanksgiving gets lost between Halloween and Christmas day. It’s like a comma in a sentence, pausing after Halloween to get ready for the big event of Christmas.

It is good to have this day set aside, and it is greater to have a Thanksgiving Day mindset year long… giving each day we live to be thankful.

In both the Old and New Testament, God’s people are commanded to be thankful, reminded to be in a constant state of thanksgiving.

Words used in Hebrew and Greek language give us an expression – as in a verb – different from an adjective – a description of how it looks. Thanksgiving then is an action of activity… not a description of how one feels or thanks – we are to act in thanksgiving.

In Hebrew the expression is “toda” an extension of the hand with adoration, confession, and praise. When we extend our hand to someone we show appreciation, welcome, and a common bond. We are shown in scripture to extend our hand to God for He has already reached down to us to lift us in His presence. Ps 75.1 We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near…”

The Greek expression of thanks is from ‘charizomai’ which is a derivative of grace. The proper Greek word most commonly used in Scripture is ‘yoo-khar-is-tos’ meaning to be grateful, express gratitude – literally to say grace at a meal. It means to recognize we are ‘well favored’

The common questions of Thanksgiving that can be answered in the Bible are how, when, and why: how do we give thanks? When do we give thanks? And why should we give thanks? Each is important to understand.

Let’s look at some scripture that describes “how” do we give thanks?

Psalms 28:7 (NIV) … I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalms 30:12 (NIV) that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God…
Psalms 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

We express gratitude and God’s love by thanking Him in song and in word. We literally come before Him with our words of song and praise giving glory to God. We actively (verb of action) seek God’s audience in thanksgiving for His great works.

When our heart is full of what God has done for us we lift our voices and praise Him… we sing hymns of praise and thanksgiving… we even use musical instruments to praise God for His goodness.

We can assuredly lift a joyful noise to God because when we are full of thanksgiving it is a pleasant and joyful sacrifice to the Lord… even if we don’t have a voice that charms most men and women – to God our voices of thanksgiving are a sweet offering. Prayer is an expression of song and hymn - we speak great praise and thanksgiving to our God.

So when is thanksgiving proper? Is it only when we have come through a great trial? Is it only when we have “experienced” God in a great activity or event? Is it occasional, often, or sporadic? Can one ever ‘thank’ God too much?

Let’s look at some Scripture:

Colossians 3:15 (NIV) …And be thankful. (Note the word is perfect active tense… no timeline here!)
Psalms 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalms 35:18 (NIV) I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 30:12 (NIV) …O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

The Bible tells us to be in thanksgiving often and continually, to gather together corporately with thanksgiving in great assembly, and for all circumstances… and we will give thanks forever! [Now you know a major activity in the Kingdom of God… giving thanks forever because we are spared from His wrath!]

Why we give thanksgiving is most important; for when we understand ‘why’ it causes continual and eternal thanksgiving in action.

Scripture is consumed in showing the “why”; but here are a few that describe ‘why give thanks’:

Psalms 75:1 (NIV) We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.
Psalms 107:1 (NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV) Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! [What is His indescribable gift? John 3:16 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – worthy of praise indeed!]
Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Psalms 118:28 (NIV) You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

God’s mercy that He would look down on sinners such as you and I and resolutely from the beginning deem it necessary to rescue us by His blood shed on the cross – is at times unspeakable and unfathomable love; it causes us to pause and give song, praise, and honor to God!

Now the warning! Let us remember those who refuse to give thanks to God are in the dangerous path that leads to destruction:

Romans 1:21-32(NIV) [selected verses– not full scripture text] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. …and [they] exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. …Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

And so, Romans 1:18 (NIV) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness… The wrath is against those who in the beginning did not glorify God as God nor did they give thanks to Him.

Let us then be thankful in action towards the great gift and mercy God has bestowed upon us. Let us be thankful in action – and in word, song, praise, and thought – and so glorify our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

As you reflect on these Scriptures, share some of your Thanksgiving Day stories of past or present... I will try to post as many as are sent. May God bless you always!