A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
by Rev Greg Obong-Oshotse 27 November 2020
Reading: Psalm 100:1-5
Text: Psalm 50:14-15 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Americans observed yesterday as Thanksgiving Day, a tradition that goes back to the very early days of the pilgrims. Different states had observed thanksgiving on different days until President George Washington declared 6 November 1789 the first Thanksgiving Day. President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday and moved it to the fourth Thursday in November in 1863 during the Civil War. It was originally a celebration of a successful harvest at the end of the first year of the arrival of the pilgrims in 1621. Governor Bradford invited the Native American Indians to that celebration. Bradford called for a fast before the feast during the second thanksgiving in 1623. A religious component formed part of the celebrations for many years in new England. At the center, was the honour of God.
Thanksgiving to God is a most fitting and proper thing for all creatures, especially the human specie made in the image of God. Christian hearts ought always to be bubbling over with thanks, and lips oiled smooth with outpourings of praise to God, for His immeasurable harvests, a cornucopia of countless blessings. The Lord’s Day is a special occasion for this. But we may indeed pour forth thanks and praise every day and we shall not have touched the degree to which we owe Him such outpourings. A family Thanksgiving Day would not be excessive in Christian homes.
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Prayer
Dear Father may our lives be one long thanksgiving to You in Christ’s name, Amen.