The Power of ThanksgivingSample

Giving thanks IS worship

Being grateful is more than good manners. When we give thanks, we honor the one we thank.

It uproots entitlement as it recognizes a source beyond ourselves. We live in a culture that tries to push and sell entitlement. Both an entitlement from everyone else (what the world owes us) and a belief in self-sufficiency. As a father, I have heard my kids tell their mother how they did something that they kind of helped me with. Whether it was making cookies or building walls for a bedroom, they were ready for full credit regardless of how much work, help, or direction I provided. The Bible warns that we do that as adults, too.

Deuteronomy 8:18 ESV: You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

We have to remember that even our ability comes from Him. This keeps us from magnifying ourselves and helps us worship God.

When we give thanks, we are honoring the one we thank. When we tell of their works, it is a way to praise them. This is true when we share about the friend who rescued us from a pinch, and this is true as we worship God. We are told over and over to give thanks to the Lord, and to make His deeds known (1 Chronicles 16:8 & 24; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 78:4; Psalm 105:1; Isaiah 12:4).

Growing up, my sister was always the most fun to give gifts to. At Christmas, she would open a gift and squeal with excitement, jump up and down, and then give a giant hug and thanks to the one who gave her the gift. It honestly was so much fun to give her gifts. So different from gifts given to people who express no gratitude, or have a response of entitlement, and complain about a detail or timing.

The praise in thanksgiving is an easy concept to see, but there is a shocking truth it brings with it. Complaining is the opposite of giving thanks. If giving thanks honors and praises the one I give thanks to, and telling of God’s deeds is worship to Him, then my complaining praises the enemy. I can see this in the natural realm. For example, I love bicycling and enjoy racing. If I finish the race and complain about how fast or strong my opponent is, how I couldn’t keep up on the hills, sprint, pace, or wherever I struggled, I am honoring his ability over mine.

If honoring God by giving thanks is worship, then isn’t complaining honoring to the one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy?

Giving thanks isn’t about a feeling. It is an offering we give to God.

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV: Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.

Giving thanks is a sacrifice of praise. If it is a sacrifice, it won't always be easy. It is thanks-GIVING, not thanks-FEELING. We can choose to offer a sacrifice of praise to our God regardless of how we feel. We can end the praise of our enemy as we refuse to complain and choose to give thanks. Choose the offering first, then the feelings can follow.

Today, as you look at your own speech, has it been honoring the Lord or the enemy? Choose today to offer the sacrifice of praise.