We are commanded to give thanks:

IN everything  : 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  as well as  FOR everything :  Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Thanksgiving flows from a grateful and humble heart.  As we join others in setting out aside a day to give thanks, I would like to share with some quotes on thanksgiving from two of my favorite teachers of old – Thomas Watson and JC Ryle.

Thanksgiving is a more noble part of God’s worship. Our needs may send us to prayer, but it takes a truly honest heart to praise God.

 

In petition we act like men; in thanksgiving we act like angels.

 

Thanksgiving is a God-exalting work “Whoever offers praise glorifies me” (Psalm 50:23). Though nothing can add the least mite to God’s essential glory—yet praise exalts him in the eyes of others.

 

Praise is a setting forth of God’s honor, a lifting up of his name, a displaying of the trophy of his goodness, a proclaiming of his excellence, a spreading of his renown, a breaking open of the box of ointment, whereby the sweet fragrance of God’s name is sent abroad into the world.  

– Thomas Watson

The wide-spread thanklessness of Christians is the disgrace of our day.  It is a plain proof of our little humility. Let us pray for a daily thankful spirit. It is the spirit which God loves and delights to honor. David and Paul were eminently thankful men.

 

It is the spirit which has marked all the brightest saints in every age of the church. McCheyne, and Bickersteth, and Haldane Stewart, were always full of praise.  It is the spirit which is the very atmosphere of heaven. Angels and “just men made perfect” are always blessing God. It is the spirit which is the source of happiness on earth.

 

If we would be anxious for nothing, we must make our requests known to God not only with prayer and supplication, but with thanksgiving. (Phil. 4:6.)  Above all, let us pray for a deeper sense of our own sinfulness, guilt, and undeserving. This, after all, is the true secret of a thankful spirit.  It is the man who daily feels his debt to grace, and daily remembers that in reality he deserves nothing but hell — this is the man who will be daily blessing and praising God.

 

Thankfulness is a flower which will never bloom well excepting upon a root of deep humility!

– JC Ryle

Psalms 107:1
 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all