Singing the Song of the First Thanksgiving

When Kay Warren’s son took his own life, she was, of course, devastated. She knew this was a risk because he had suffered from clinical depression since the age of eight and had been voicing thoughts of suicide since the age of twelve. She had faithfully told him they couldn’t give up hope, and she kept a Hope Box full of verses, declarations of hope and faith in what God would do. Then Matthew died.

Kay’s spiritual life was turned upside-down as she realized that the verses in her Hope Box had been chosen to support her expectation of God’s actions. She learned that it was not enough to fill her Hope Box with verses about what God will do, but rather to fill her Hope Box and, therefore, her heart with truth about God’s unchanging character. This is the path to a certainty that cannot be shaken.

King David of the Old Testament had a particular gift for inspiring worship, and it’s on display in 1 Chronicles 16 with the return of the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence among his people. We are told that on that day, David first appointed thanksgiving to be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.

This song of thanksgiving preceded the pilgrims by a few thousand years. The lyrics began with gratitude:

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!” (1 Chronicles 16:8 ESV)

Giving thanks, calling upon God’s name, rehearsing his deeds—these are actions at the heart of worship. They are also practices that would enhance our present-day experience of Thanksgiving Day.

Make Known His Deeds

In scripture, God has revealed himself by his actions. His faithfulness, his justice, his mercy, and his love are all on fabulous display throughout the history of Israel. The Gospels are the testimony to God’s commitment to a relationship with humanity: “He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how shall he not, with him, also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). As we stay close to the record of God’s deeds, our gratitude will overflow.

Call Upon His Name

God has also chosen to identify himself in very specific ways through the names he reveals to his people in the Old Testament. The meanings behind God’s names reveal his central personality and nature. I have compiled a list of ten of God’s names for us to use in our practice of thanksgiving and added a prayer prompt based on the Hebrew names' meaning in English.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)—Thank you, God, that you are the all-sufficient one. You use your power to nourish, satisfy, and supply your people with all our needs.

El Elyon (The Most High God)—Lord, not only do you have all power, but also you have the right to do whatever your will requires. You get to call the shots in my life, and I thank you that I can trust you to do what is good for me according to your sovereign plan.

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)—Keep my eyes on you, Lord. Thank you for being my banner, my focal point, my source of hope.

Jehovah Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)—Thank you for all the ways you lead and feed your flock. I know that I am safe in your care. Show me the simple wisdom of being your sheep.

Jehovah Raphah (The Lord Who Heals)—I’m grateful, Lord, that no one is ever beyond the reach of hope. Thank you for restoring me in so many ways and for the work of restoration and healing that is always ongoing in the life of a believer.

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There)—You will not abandon me! Just as you did not abandon your people—even when their homeland was left in ruins, you will not cease to be present and active in my life.

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)—Thank you that because of the gift of your righteousness, I can abandon all my self-salvation strategies and stand before you in the righteousness imputed to me by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)—Just as you provided the ram in the thicket for Abraham, you have provided your own son as our sufficient sacrifice. Thank you for all the ways, both concrete and spiritual, that you have provided for me this year.

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace)—In the circle of your care and provision, Lord, there is perfect peace. Teach me to rest my gaze on your sovereign goodness so that all my striving falls away.

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)—God, you are sovereign over every army, both spiritual and earthly. You are Lord of all heaven and earth. Thank you that your reign is for my good so that I can be glad to follow, serve, and obey you as the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Let’s be intentional in our practice of gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving Day!
Call upon his name!
Make known his deeds among the people!