“In everything give thanks …” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
When I look up the meaning of the word gratitude, I see, “the quality of being thankful, the readiness to show appreciation, …”
The children of Israel were instructed by Moses, the servant of the Lord, to observe three feasts during the year. The first was the feast of Unleavened Bread. They were to eat unleavened bread (baked bread without yeast) for seven days in observance of their departure from Egypt and deliverance from their taskmasters. The second was the Feast of Weeks (First-fruits) acknowledging the first fruits of their labours in the fields, and the third, the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) which took place at the end of the year after the gathering of the harvest – Exodus 23:14-19 (NKJV).
Each of these observances was a means of giving thanks and a demonstration of their gratitude to God for His deliverance and providence. They were warned never to forget how the Lord brought them out of bondage, caused them to cross over the Red Sea on dry land, sustained them for forty years through the journey in the wilderness, and brought them into a rich and fertile land with cities that they did not build – Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (NKJV). Their duty was to share God’s goodness from generation to generation and never forget.
Throughout the Bible, notably the book of Psalms, we encounter expressions of gratitude. The Psalmists expressed thanks and praise in various ways directly to God and also encouraged the people of God to do so. They testified of His goodness and mercy throughout their journeys and sang psalms of praise.
In 21st Century Guyana, a nation predominantly Christian, on the South American continent, and one of the fastest growing economies in the world because of recent oil discovery, the question is being asked, “How have we shown gratitude?” How have we said thanks to God for his goodness?” We have enjoyed peace within our borders, recognition as a tourist destination, an abundance of rich fertile lands to grow food, and a wonderfully warm climate year-round. We have come through two years of the pestilence of Covid-19 and hopefully are seeing the end of it. But how often did we as a nation remember to truly give thanks?
We thank God for those servants of God who dutifully call us to prayer and praise but are we doing enough so that those who do not know God can be persuaded? Let us take time to reflect and to give thanks to God even as we celebrate harvest, our type of thanksgiving, and this year, boldly testify of how the ways the Lord has blessed us.
Read: Psalm 95: 1-7; Psalm 103: 1-5; Ephesians 5:20
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 121; Hebrews 9:16-28; Ezekiel 17; Ezekiel 18
