Giving Thanks - Pt 1

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:8-12 ESV).

It seems Thanksgiving (the holiday) is getting squeezed out of our minds more each year. There are so many events during the fall that capture our attention. It seems we see the arrival of Halloween and immediately move into Christmas. However, Thanksgiving (the concept and behavior) is a pervasive and essential concept in Scripture. And although it is good to set aside a Thursday each November to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, the Scriptures have more to say about giving thanks than one day a year can handle. Over the next few days I hope to guide you along a path to understand five Scriptural truths about thanksgiving. The first truth is the Trinitarian nature of thanksgiving. I’m never more in tune to the greatness of God, in every aspect of His revelation than when I am able to witness the fall colors. While the picture here is taken in the Smoky Mountains, I have been able to see New England and the Rockies as well. To think of God as just Father, or Son, or Holy Spirit is to miss the grandeur of His fullness. This is a part of the reason why the Scripture always references the Trinity when dealing with our gratitude. The typical pattern is that God the Father is the object of thanksgiving; God the Son is the person through whom thanksgiving flows; and, God the Holy Spirit is the source of thanksgiving. Paul models this in our reading today (v. 8). Our faith as Christians does not call for vague thanksgiving to a vague deity. Our God is triune and, as a result, thanksgiving has a Trinitarian flavor. Thanksgiving flows to God the Father, through God the Son, from God the Spirit. The difference this can make for us is found in the comfort and help we may find in the sheer scope of our God. So many other religions have a God who was embodied solely in a wise teacher or charismatic leader. Our God is above all, in all, and over all. He is so much more than any circumstance or trial we may face in our lives. I’m thankful for that truth on my behalf. Whatever you are facing today is no match for your God. Trust that power to deliver you into your eternal home someday!