The last of the day’s travelers will soon arrive at their destinations and settle in for food, family, and football as they anticipate one sale after another – ah, Thanksgiving in America. In days gone by, we learned about the Pilgrims and the Indians coming together as we traced our hands and fingers to make a turkey or two. For all we knew, it was just a day in 1621 that they called “Thanksgiving” where some people came together to share some food; the more pressing matter though, was not some buckled shoe but how to draw a leg or two!

We’re told that thankfulness and gratitude are the things we must exude, but the question is to whom? Around the table, the question comes, “What are you thankful for this day?” With a stutter and a pause, the man may reply, but never a reason why – or to whom.

In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, George Washington wrote of our duty “to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” It was because of this duty that Washington recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer for what he called the many graces of Almighty God, especially the opportunity granted by God to form a government of civil and religious liberty.

These words of proclamation for thanks to God would most likely stun today’s American populace, driving them into anger and protest. But calls of thanksgiving to God are nothing new: the psalmist often cried out for people to express their thanks to God, for He is good and His lovingkindness endures forever (Pss 106:1; 107:1; 118:1–4; 136:1–3); king David sang, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name [and] make known His deeds among the peoples” (1 Chron 16:8-9); the one who called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees said give thanks to God no matter your circumstance (1 Thess 5:18); and the brother of our Savior reminded his readers that every good and perfect gift comes from God (Jas 1:17). Indeed, salvation is of the Lord (Pss 3:8; 62:1; Jonah 2:9) so let the redeemed be thankful for the signal favors of Almighty God!

Let us then join together with our families and friends on this day with a spirit of thanksgiving in our hearts to God for His infinite goodness, tender mercy, and loving care; for newness of life and for calling us His very own. Give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.