Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here. News Flash: The first 56 volumes are compiled into a book titled “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible.” More details at the end. Now back to our regular programming.
Thanks for joining us today. We begin our Thanksgiving-themed Bible study with a memorable quote from my deceased sister, Andrea: “I love Thanksgiving because all you have to do is show up and eat.” Yes, true, but now her baby sister will embellish:
“I love Thanksgiving to God because all you have to do is show up, love your family, be grateful for the feast He provides and the blessings He has bestowed upon those gathered today.” Much better. Given this is a Thanksgiving week and giving thanks to God was, and still is, the real purpose of the holiday, let’s examine what Scripture says about thanking God.
The first reading is a perfect summary of what should be top of mind every day, but especially on Turkey Thursday with the “holiday” mentioned in this Psalm:
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100).
May I suggest that before you carve the bird, ask someone to read Psalm 100? Then those magnificent, soothing words could create a loving atmosphere, reducing the intensity of family squabbles or political disagreements. On that note, over the next four days watch for all the mainstream media coverage about “how to handle political disagreements at Thanksgiving,” but I guarantee that none will mention group prayer.
Next we read part of a Psalm that puts the “T” in Thanksgiving:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. Who made the great lights— His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever ” (Psalm 136:1-9).
Also, here are two short verses worth saying aloud:
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:2-3).
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).
A candidate for the perfect “song” is the traditional Thanksgiving hymn “We Gather Together” (to ask the Lord’s blessing). Click on that upbeat version with its meaningful lyrics and have a group singalong.
We now turn to the New Testament with the thanksgiving wisdom of Paul:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
And one of St. Paul’s most famous passages:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Here is some self-help advice for the holiday and every day:
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4).
We conclude with Paul’s advice for a peaceful and happy Turkey Day:
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).
Finally, be mindful that the day is NOT supposed to be about “showing up to eat,” football, and stuffing one’s face with pumpkin pie — but Thanksgiving to God. So, remind everyone at your gathering to acknowledge the full name of the holiday. But most importantly, know that every day should be a Thanksgiving to God day. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her new book, “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible,” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to Shroud of Turin education. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.