Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love to eat and food is central to the day. I also love to give thanks for the abundant blessings I have. Some may want to debate the origins of our blessings, but I really appreciate king David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29. He was near the end of his life and his son Solomon was going to build the Temple for the Lord that David dreamed of. It is not just a prayer of thanks, it is a prayer of orientation. One that sets his, and consequently our, priorities aimed directly at the Creator of all things.
David’s Prayer
10David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
“Praise be to you, Lord,
the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand….”
Do you see how David directs all his thanks and adoration to the Creator? And what was the result? “But who am I, and who are my people…?” Compared to the Almighty we are nothing, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Our Creator has redeemed us fully and given us voices to thank Him for every breath we take.
I invite you to join me in taking a few minutes to jot down a few thoughts of thanksgiving. Think especially about how God is the author of all. Give thanks for life, the beauty of nature or whatever comes to you. And as we sit down to eat on Thanksgiving Day with family, friends or a turkey sandwich alone, remember the promise, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
