The Cause of Thanksgiving

The Cause of Thanksgiving 1 Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is sometimes referred to as the Pilgrims Psalm. This psalm aptly describes the pilgrim’s adventures, toils and snares to their landing at Plymouth Rock. Even more than that it being the Pilgrims Psalm it also applies to us by simply saying to give thanks unto the Lord, to have the attitude of gratitude. Thomas Aquinas once said, “Gratitude tries to return more than has been received. “

The History of thanksgiving began long before that first harvest in 1621 when the 53 surviving pilgrims sat at their bountiful tables with the Indians and thanked God for His blessings. It was even before Jesus was born in Bethlehem and the Angels sang Glory to God in the Highest offering their praise and thanks to God for peace on earth good will to men. It was many years before that when from somewhere on Mount Sinai Moses stood and read the law to the people. In this law there were some guidelines and directions for giving thanks to God. Let’s look at that a little bit this morning. Turn in your Bibles with me back to Leviticus 7:12-15.

The Thanksgiving offering was one of three peace offerings. There was the offering because of a vow, the offering because of volunteering one and the thanksgiving offering. This offering included five kinds of sacrifices 1.) Unleavened cakes mixed with oil 2.)Unleavened wafers anointed with oil 3.) Fried cakes of fine flour with oil. 4.) Leavened bread. 5.) Along with the meat offering

1. Heave offering Lev. 7:14 this was given to the priest as his portion of the thanksgiving offering (Ex. 29:26–28; Lev. 7:29–34) this was waved before the Lord acknowledging that God was the giver of all things.

a. Eating the Offering (first day) Lev. 7:15 Was to eat it all (One said this showed a trust in God for tomorrows provisions as they were not to leave any for the next day)

i. Anything left over was to be burned

ii. If they did eat the thanksgiving offering on the second day it was not benefit them in fact it would be considered unaccepted by God. The word used is not imputed meaning not counted to you. It would be rejected, not only by God but also it would be spoiled and unfit to eat.

2. Five Principles of the Spirit of Thanksgiving

i. Thanksgiving should be directed to God – To whom are we giving thanks( When we receive something we return with "thank you" it is directed at that person. I've heard a lot already this month though it is only 6 days old of "I am thankful for...." but the person they are thankful for is strangely absent. Psa 1:1 Blessed isthe man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God

b. Thanksgiving should be freewill, volunteer, cheerfully given to God

i. The heave offering, offering the cakes mingled with oil, (this would have probably been quite a feast, I assume these were made to taste wonderful as well.)

c. Thanksgiving should include action (thanksgiving is a verb, not an adjective)

i. The heave offering was lifted and waved before the Lord (Some scholars teach that this heave offering was a type of us how we should lift our hearts to God.)

ii. So we should lift clean hands and clean heart in thanksgiving and praise to God.

d. Thanksgiving usually included fellowship

i. The priest and those who may have eaten with the giver.

ii. Sometimes we should be the one who brings the thanksgiving spirit to church.

e. Thanksgiving Brings God’s blessing and approval

i. When done acceptably and obediently by the law given God was very pleased with someone who brought their thanksgiving offering.

ii. So it is with us when we offer to God our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, God must look down in love and adoration.

1. Helen Keller that lady who was both blind and deaf one said, “for three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of His Works; deep thanks that He has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to- a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song. “

a. I can’t help but think that as Helen Keller was making such a statement or as she came daily to God with these things that the Lord would stand to His feet, while the angels would stand around wiping the tears away from their eyes. What a scene it must make in heaven when God’s people give thanks.