An olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane old enough to have given shade to Jesus

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name;
    make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
    tell of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and His strength;
    seek His presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that He has done,
    His miracles and the judgments He uttered, 1 Chronicles 16:8-12

This Thanksgiving, as I give thanks for my beautiful family, the abundant food on the table, and the past year, I’ll also be thanking God for His great works in my life, in the lives of my family and friends, and America the Beautiful.

David and the nation of Israel praised the Lord after they brought the ark of the covenant to the City of David. They remembered how God brought them out of Egypt, the promise that He had given them, and how He had fulfilled it.

Harps, lyres, cymbals, and trumpets led Asaph and his brothers as they called upon all creation to praise the Lord.

God’s presence in the City of David.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34

Jesus rehearsed His love in action in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night Judas betrayed Him. He cried to God:

Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. Mark 14:36

Jesus knew the cost of the promise of salvation: my sins and the sins of the world seared onto His body as He hung on the cursed cross. He felt the spittle, the punches, the lashing, the pieces of flesh tearing away from His back, and the nails piercing His hands and feet on the cross.

As He rehearsed the future, Jesus heard the cry of His greatest sacrifice:

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34

The ultimate sacrifice to fulfill a promise to you and me … a way to the throne room of God … a way into the presence of God.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD. 1 Chronicles 16:36

I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?

My prayer

Father, thank You for the abundant blessings You have poured out upon Your people. Let all creation sing its praise to You. Let Your people from every nation rise up and sing Your praises at the top of their lungs, for You are greatly to be praised. Blessed be Your name from everlasting to everlasting! You are our Thanksgiving! Amen