5 Reflections on Giving Thanks to God

Our homes are adorned with decor inscribed with “Thankful” and “Blessed.” We often utter “Thanks be to God!” in worship. We have holidays dedicated to giving thanks. But do we truly have gratitude in all of this? This blog post, adapted from Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible, offers five reflections to help you ponder and give thanks for God’s gifts.

A Joyful Feasting

And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. Deuteronomy 26:11

The two main marks of the peace offering were eating and rejoicing. Of the peace offerings, Deuteronomy says the Israelites were to “eat there, and … rejoice before the LORD your God” (27:7). Consider now especially the rejoicing.

Peace offerings were sacrificed particularly at times of joy and thanksgiving. Examples of these thankful times included after God performed some great deliverance; at the culmination of a national feast; or at a blessed event, such as the dedication of the temple. It is easy to understand from these examples why godly rejoicing was directly connected to the peace-offering feasts. Many psalms that speak of rejoicing are referencing the joyful feasting that followed the sacrifice of a peace offering.

Jesus has offered Himself as our peace offering, and now our joy is made full. We have the utmost reason to enter God’s house with thanksgiving, for God in Christ has reconciled us to Himself, and our peace offering has risen from the dead! “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Now eat of our Lord’s peace offering, and with such eating rejoice in the Lord always.

O Lord, as I consider Your peace offering on the cross, grant me a rejoicing and thankful spirit. Amen.

Gifts and Receipts

And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8

The steaming, juicy meat wafted its succulent scent over the table as the family gathered around. Mouths watered as Elkanah distributed the portions and placed two helpings before his beloved wife, Hannah. But she could only bow her head in mourning, tears streaming down her cheeks. The double portion held no enticement for her, for she was barren.

How often are generous, appealing gifts more like sawdust to us? Very often. For our desires, even when rightly ordered—like for the good gift of children—cannot satisfy us. And other blessings cannot fulfill or satisfy our longings for certain things.

But God knows our heart, and He knows what gifts we need. Whatever we receive from Him in our earthly lives—whether riches, honor, children, or good health—pales in comparison to what He gives to us that lasts forever. While we may weep like Hannah, we also pray like her in fervent faith that God hears us, knows our desires, and blesses us with what is best for us. Through Christ, we receive a double portion that never disappoints, for He gives us the priceless gift of life and salvation.

O God, may we receive Your good gifts with thanksgiving, trusting in Your plans. Amen.

God’s Abundant Gifts

Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 1 Chronicles 16:4

In 1 Chronicles 16, the ark of the covenant arrives in the tent of meeting. At this church dedication, David leads the congregation in praising God. These believers have a place to come together, to pray, to worship, and to receive from the Lord His great and abundant gifts.

As we, the church, gather together, we receive God’s gift of mercy in Baptism, in the preaching of the Word, and in the Lord’s Supper. Our response? Thanksgiving for all He gives, with praise on our lips.

However, we may not feel like praising God when we are bogged down by the pressures of life. How can we praise when our checking account is in the red? How can we thank God when our health is poor? How can we be grateful when all we feel is tired and crabby?

The good news is that God’s gifts to us are not dependent on our responses. God always provides, even though our finances may be tight. God is our closest friend, even when our health fails. God provides meaning, even when we feel unfulfilled. Our praise may be anemic at best, but God still pours out His blessings. His work within us stirs us to expressions of thanksgiving to our loving Redeemer and Friend.

Creator God, help us always to cherish Your gifts and respond with heartfelt thanks. Amen.

Hope on the Farm

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Farming gets into your blood. My friend Clayton is a lifelong farmer and second career pastor. He tells me that farmers hope for a good crop, a good harvest. But day to day, they hope their farm machinery will start, and they especially hope that God will send the proper amounts of rain and sunshine.

Those living in rural areas are close to the soil. We join them in thanksgiving for our daily bread. We are blessed in Canada and the United States with abundant food in our stores. We also humbly repent that we have often lived in ingratitude. Let us give to our local food banks to help those who do not have their daily bread. May we truly give thanks before and after each meal to the God of all grace and blessings, following also the good example of those in the farming industry who model a steady hope in the Lord’s provision and protection.

God grant that the good seed of His Word fall on our hearts as good soil, and that as thankful people we live in gratitude for both physical and spiritual food. Use this prayer by Martin Luther as a reminder of the farms and rural areas from where much of our daily bread comes:

“We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen” (Luther’s Small Catechism, Daily Prayers).

Attitude of Gratitude

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Very few of us like to be around individuals who only see the cup as half-empty. With every personal occurrence or upsetting moment, these people strive to find the bad that can happen as they fearfully watch events unfold. Even when encouraged to see the brighter side, they resist doing so and find something negative to refute it. How refreshing it is when we discover someone who sees the cup as half-full.

King David had the ability to view the positive in most situations. His life was loaded with trials, mistakes, and dangers, yet he chose to open his eyes toward a loving, praiseworthy God. His attitude ended in gratitude, for the God he trusted was mighty, gracious, and merciful. He knew in the end that the Lord’s loving heart would restore him and protect him in all circumstances.

Years later, another King acknowledged a love for His praiseworthy Father. Whether praying or confronted with doubters and scoffers, King Jesus praised His Father and never took His eyes off Him. Even when faced with dying on a cross, He expressed gratitude because of the joy set before Him. Now He desires to grant us that same attitude.

Dear Jesus, thank You for providing me with the attitude of gratitude. Amen.

Scripture: ESV®.

Read sacred Scripture alongside 700 reflections like these in Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible.