The Power of Thanksgiving

Memory verse: Psalm 92:1 “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High”

Bible verses: Luke 17:12-19, John 6:11-13, 11:41.

According to the King James Dictionary, thanksgiving has to do with rendering thanks for good received. It’s the act of rendering or expressing gratitude for favours or mercies enjoyed. In this context, we will be looking at thanksgiving generally with the major focus on God. In the kingdom, there are many ways we appreciate and exalt God. Some of these ways are; worship, praises, singing of Psalms (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13) as well as giving of thanks. Giving of thanks or as it usually called, thanksgiving is different from other ways of exalting God. In this lesson, we want to examine the benefits/power of giving thanks to God. We shall consider this lesson under the following headings;

1. PRINCIPLE OF THANKSGIVING

Genesis. 4:1-5; 1Samuel. 1:21-28; 2:1-10; Revelation. 7:9-12

A careful study of the bible will reveal that the people of God from the beginning were involved in the practice of regular thanksgiving. We see the sons of our first parents Adam and Eve observing that practice. It seems they had a tradition of regularly bringing an offering to God in appreciation for life and other mercies they enjoyed from God. We can also see the example of Hannah, who asked for the miracle of the fruit of the womb and when God gave her Samuel, she brought him with a thanksgiving offering to God.  We also read from the book of Revelation that thanksgiving goes on in heaven and will continue among the redeemed in heaven. Thanksgiving therefore, based on the testimony of scriptures is a to be observed by God`s people because of his goodness and faithfulness in their lives no matter the condition or situation. It is based on the belief and principle that we owe Him gratitude all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

2. PRACTICE OF THANKSGIVING

Deuteronomy 26:1-19; Leviticus 22:29.

As we have seen in the first sub-topic, thanksgiving has been the practice by God`s people for many generations. It is a practice that is trans-generational. From the passages above, we can see why and how God expected the children of Israel to give Him thanks. We should thank God for life, protection, deliverance, and all benefits (Psalm 103:1, Psalm 103:2) The children of Israel were told in the book of Deuteronomy that they were to give thanks with their first fruits. That practice should not change today (Proverbs 3:9) for ‘God is the same today and forever’. It is observed by giving God every first thing that comes into your hands in a season. This is done to acknowledge God as the first and most important being in your life. It is important to note that thanksgiving to God is supposed to be free willed, not by compulsion as seen in (Leviticus 22:29)  The bible re-echoes it in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 9:7) ‘God loves a cheerful and willing giver’. It is also important that while giving thanks to God we offer tangible/material gifts to God. Bringing a gift seals the blessing and can stand as a memorial before God (Luke 5:14).

3. BENEFITS OF THANKSGIVING

Luke 17:18-20; 1 Samuel 2:18-21; 2 Chronicle. 1:1-12; 1 Kings 4:29-34.

Everyone loves gratitude. Even the God we serve loves gratitude. Our Lord and Saviour appreciated the fact that one of the ten lepers came back to show gratitude. So, he rewarded that act with a confirmation of the miracle the leper had received by making him whole. When Hannah showed her gratitude by coming back to thank God for giving her the fruit of the womb, God was pleased and decided to make her fruitfulness permanent. God rewarded her with three sons and two daughters. It was also recorded in scriptures that Solomon and David usually offered to God unusual thanksgiving which attracted God’s blessings to them at different times. Thanksgiving therefore carries the following benefits;

1. It seals the blessings God gives to us and makes it endure as in the case of the one leper among the ten.
2. It provokes God to do more for us as in the case of Hannah.
3. It honours God and makes Him (God) honour the one who honours Him as in the case of the children of Israel when they gave their first fruits.

Conclusion:

Giving thanks to God is a command of God to man or to his children (Psalm 92:1 – It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:). 

It comes with a lot of benefits as seen in the study. All Christians are encouraged to be true children of God by giving Him thanks in all situations as stated in 1 Thessalonian 5:18 – “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.