The Bible Notebook

Thanksgiving. The word invokes many different thoughts for many different peoples. To some, it’s a time when relatives and family gather together to share a good meal along with fellowship and fun. To others, it’s a time with hurt because of memories of the past. Whatever your personal thanksgiving experiences have been…I’m here to tell you that they can always be better!

It is so easy to view thanksgiving as merely a day off of school or work, or whatever responsibilities you have. We just think and live the word “rest” and pretty soon the day flies by with perhaps a nice meal to top it off. While it is not bad to rest or eat well on thanksgiving, I think we are missing the main point of the day - it is a day to give thanks. But for what? and To whom? What should we be thankful for and who do we thank for it?? The Bible has answers for these two important questions! Let’s take a look at two key passages that will help answer these: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:4-7. From them we can derive at least a few points…

To be thankful is to be JOYFUL (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4)

Joy. Another one of those words than can have many connotations, but put those aside for now. Let’s look at that word within the context of the two passages above. We are commanded to “be joyful always” (1 Thess 5:16) and to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4). Notice something - where is our joy supposed to be directed? It’s supposed to be “in the Lord,” not in the blessings He give us. So we are to delight more in the Giver than in His gifts. How often? - ALWAYS. Does this mean only when things are going well or we “feel” like being joyful? No…always means always - in all ways at all times…joyful.

To be thankful is to PRAY (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6)

I think here we have one of the most non-followed instructions in the Bible - “pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17 NIV). I know for me personally I often do not put aside much time for prayer. Sure…for most meals I’ll say the good ‘ol “come Lord Jesus…” prayer that I’ve grown up with. But, how often do I purposefully and undistractedly go to God in prayer? Not nearly often enough!!

One important note that needs to be made is that the instruction to “pray continually” does not mean that we must always have our heads bowed, hands folded, and eyes closed. No…that’s not the basic definition of prayer anyways. Prayer is simply talking with God…talking with the amazing Creator God who created you with the capacity to communicate with Him and be in relationship with Him. To be able to pray is to have an amazing gift! We must recognize this!

To be in a state of constant prayer has far more to do with our spiritual posture than our physical. Our hearts and minds should always be bowed before God, even when we are physically walking around or running or doing whatever. To be in constant prayer is to be constantly relying on and following the Lord. And may I add that we should be utterly humbled by what it has cost God for us to have the unrestricted privilege of constant communication with Him, namely the suffering and death of His son Jesus Christ who bore the weight of our sin and shame upon Himself. May we always be humbled as we pray…

To be thankful is to GIVE THANKS (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Philippians 4:6)

I know…this seems pretty obvious. Most of us get this one right…atleast partly right. When we think through our lives we easily can come up with a list of things to be thankful for - our family, friends, posessions, opportunities, etc. But did you notice what’s missing from that list? How about our life, namely our life in Christ. This needs to be the item that we are most thankful for!! For it is the second most valuable item to us personally (the first being the existence and character of God). I could preach a whole message here…but I will suffice it to say that we terribly fail in this department. Before you get all defensive on me…admit it. You do not thank God enough for who He is and what He has done. May my writing here be an encouragement to change this on Thanksgiving day, but most importantly, on ALL days that God graciously gives to us!

To be thankful is to have PEACE (Philippians 4:6-7)

Amidst our chaotic lives we are called to be at peace, both with God and with our circumstances. We are called to be reconciled to Him (and the only way is through Christ) and we are called to be at peace (or to be content) in all situations (see Philippians 4:10-13). Rather than being anxious over every last detail (or over any detail), we must present our requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving. And having done so, we will experience the peace of God, which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Wow! That’s quite a promise! It can be yours today by seeking the Lord dilligently with your whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13) and leaning not on your own understaning but on His (Proverbs 3:5-6).

As a final thought for you…on this Thanksgiving day 2008, be a living example of Phil 4:6-7 - praying with thanksgiving and experiencing God’s peace all day long!!