Gratitude to God
Canada and the island of Saint Lucia celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday in October. Liberia sets aside a day for giving thanks at the beginning of November, while the United States and Australia mark the annual holiday at the end of the month. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Rwanda, and the Philippines, have unofficial days to foster gratitude.
There’s something powerful about a nation collectively expressing gratitude. It’s a picture we see when King David assembled the nation of Israel to give thanks to God for His presence, protection, and promises. The celebration marked the return of the “ark of God” (1 Chronicles 16:1). The people rejoiced that the ark, a symbol of God’s presence with them, was in Jerusalem. As David led Israel in praise, he reminded them of God’s protection as the nation conquered the land of Canaan (vv.18-22) and celebrated His faithfulness to fulfill His promises (v. 15).
If you celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, consider making it a gratitude gathering and reflecting together on the ways you’ve experienced God’s presence, protection, and promises over the past year. Whether or not you live in a country that officially celebrates Thanksgiving, each of us can take time to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (v. 34).
By Lisa M. Samra - Bread Ministries
1 Chronicles 16:8-14, 19-24
8Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
9Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
12Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
13you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
19When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it,
20they wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:
22“Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”
23Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
