Today is celebrated here in the United States as “Thanksgiving Day.” Though we ought to express thanks and be thankful every day, it is a special day for families and friends to gather together and remember the bountiful blessings for which we should be grateful.
Growing up, when we were getting ready to go to someone’s home for dinner, do we remember our parents telling us to be sure and mind our manners? When gathering with others it is especially good to be polite. Greeted by the host, it is proper to thank them for the invitation. When being served the meal, it is good to say thank you. If we want more of the good things being served it is also appropriate to say, “Please may I. . .” or “Please pass the. . .” and so forth. Such manners reveal a sense of appreciation for the preparations that have been made and for the time being spent together.
One of the psalmists wrote. . .
“(1) It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;” (Psalm 92:1 ESV)
Yes, “It is good”! If we are careful to mind our manners with other fellow humans, should it not also be so toward God? Think of all the preparations God has made for the life He has brought us into. Considering the order of Creation, everything from day one to day six step-by-step prepared a place for mankind to dwell. Beyond our life here, God has an eternal place prepared for us as well. Also consider the preparations God made for our forgiveness in Christ.
It is very good to give thanks to the Lord. However, let it not only be offered one day a year or merely at mealtime. Let us also recognize the manner in which we live also can be a daily declaration of our thanks to God for His invitation to come to Him, the bountiful blessings He continues to provide, and His involvement in our life. To neglect thanks to God would not be very good manners at all. Yes, it is good to give Him thanks!
Have a great day OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD!
Carl
