Thanksgiving

Psalms 50:1-4 & 92:1-5 & 100:1-5, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Philippians 4:6

We celebrate thanksgiving because we have a God who is in control.  We are also thankful for a savior Jesus Christ.  This is true even in the mist of a lot of concerns such as the election, Covid-19, hurricanes, wild fires, floods, etc.  We must remember that God is good all the time.

• God is the object of our thanksgiving:
  To give thanks is to acknowledge that we have needs.  We can't do it ourselves.  We need help.  It puts us in a place of humility.  We are vulnerable and weak and need a God.  The attitude of pride undercuts any thanksgiving we have.  Being thankful help root out that attitude of pride.

• Thanking God in bad times:
  We are blessed even in our worst days.  This is the message of Habakkuk 3:17-19.  Read it.  Knowing that God is there even in the bad times is thanksgiving.  He is faithful.

• Thanks for the good times:
  We are prone to take good things for granted.  We must also remember that God is involved in the good.  Psalm 92:1-5, thankful for music, love in the morning, and faithfulness at night.  Thanks for creation and the order of the universe.  The miracle of life, and beauty.  Thankfulness cuts down on grumbling and discontent and a proud spirit.  Thanksgiving shows the attitude of your heart whether you are entitled or thankful.  

• Psalm 100:1-5 - Classic Psalm of Thanksgiving:  Read it
  We are compared to sheep.  Sheep are needy, they need a Sheppard.  The whole universe is God's.

Worry works against thankfulness.  Philippians 4:6.  Don't focus on self but focus on God.