A Time for Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving is:

Invitation to Praise (8-13)

Give Thanks to the Lord.

Acknowledge, confess, cast - it is casting praise upon God.

Like showering someone with gifts!

Call on His name

Malachi 1:11 ESV

11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

Celebration of God (14-22)

His Person (14)

His Promises (15-18)

His Presence (19-22)

Declaration of God’s Glory (23-34)

Tell of His salvation

Declare his glory (kabod - weight, honor, majesty) over all other gods.

His workmanship reveals his glory.

Supplication for God’s Blessing (35-36)

1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV

34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

On the basis of God’s faithful love we make our request for future deliverance.

William Bradford - “Let none argue that this is due to human failing, rather than to this communistic plan of life in itself. I answer, seeing that all men have this failing in them, that God in His wisdom saw that another plan of life was fitter for them. After this had been settled, and their corn was planted in this way, all their food supplies were consumed, and they had to rely upon God’s providence, often at night not knowing where to get a bit of anything next day; and so, as one well observed, they had need above all people in the world to pray to God that He would give them their daily bread. .... Harvest time had now come, and then instead of famine, God gave them plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many for which they blessed God.”