Psalms 9:1, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Thanksgiving is defined as the expression of gratitude, especially to God.

It is the Thanksgiving season here in the United States. I usually take time out during this season to appreciate all that God has done for me and my family. I actually kind of enjoy cooking our meal because we are all together. And I usually do not enjoy cooking!

However, this year is different. Thankfully we are all together again this year. What is different is that God has matured my attitude so that I do not consider things as I did in years past.

Psalms 9:1 talks about a whole hearted praise. This is a praise that takes all that you are. And it comes from a place deep within you that is pure. It is from the depth of this praise that I can tell “shew forth” all that God has done. To Shew forth is to publish or celebrate. It is to tell out or forth. To declare abroad, divulge, publish.

From this pure praise, I can celebrate God. I can publish or tell everyone of all he has done for me. Not just with my words alone, but also, and maybe most importantly, I do it through the way I live my life. Through the way I treat people, showing mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion. To celebrate God is to strive to live up to the call and anointing he has placed on my life.

Yes, at our Thanksgiving dinner we do take the time to express the things for which we are thankful. More than that, to truly shew forth or celebrate God, we need to acknowledge him. As the saying goes, if it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be? It is important to recognize that it is God alone who has done marvelous things in our lives.

Let us celebrate him!

1 Thessalonians teaches us about being thankful, no matter what. We have to acknowledge that things do not always go the way we planned. And yes, sometimes the worst does happen. But those things are all on the outside – not in our spirit. We cannot let those outside influences impact our inner peace or inward joy. So yes, in every thing give thanks – no matter what is happening. Why? Because this IS the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us all!

We are not thankful that terrible things have happened. But we are thankful regardless of terrible things happening! We can show the world that no matter what, God is still good! God is still able! God still has my back. This awful thing has not destroyed me. In spite of it, I am still standing! And for this I am thankful!!

This attitude of thankfulness requires maturity. One that we all need to grow into.

Why? Because on the other side of your praise, there is victory!

Happy Thanksgiving!!