Giving thanks to God is a central theme throughout the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with verses that encourage believers to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. As we reflect on the many blessings God has given us, it should stir our hearts to thank and praise Him.
In this blog post, we’ll examine several stories and verses that illustrate the importance of thanksgiving in the Bible. We’ll see how the godly examples of Biblical figures can inspire us to be more thankful in our own lives today.
Key Takeaways:
- Thanksgiving was a key part of Old Testament worship, as seen in the Psalms and sacrificial system.
- Jesus emphasized thanksgiving when he healed people and performed miracles.
- Paul frequently encouraged the early churches to abound in thanksgiving.
- We should give thanks in all circumstances because God is sovereign.
- Cultivating gratitude should be a regular spiritual discipline for Christians.
- Thankfulness glorifies God and is His will for our lives.
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- Key Takeaways:
- Old Testament Examples
- New Testament Examples
- Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
- The Last Supper
- Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
- Healing of the Ten Lepers
- Jesus Instituted Communion
- Paul's Thanksgiving Example
- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)
- Biblical Reasons to Give Thanks
- How to Cultivate Gratitude
- The Connection Between Thanksgiving and Miracles
- Conclusion
Old Testament Examples
The Old Testament provides us with numerous examples of God’s people giving thanks to Him. Here are some of the most significant instances.
The Psalms
The Book of Psalms contains more than 100 direct references to giving thanks to God for His goodness. For instance, Psalm 100:4 (NKJV) says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Psalm 136 repeats the refrain “For His mercy endures forever” 26 times. This psalm was likely used in corporate worship settings as a responsive reading, with the congregation repeating the chorus.
Other psalms, like Psalms 95, 105, and 107, open with calls to give thanks and praise. The psalmists model for us a heart of gratitude in all circumstances.
Thank Offerings
In addition to songs of praise, the Old Testament Law provided opportunities for God’s people to express thanks through sacrifices and offerings.
Leviticus 7 outlines the thank offering, also known as the sacrifice of praise. Those who wished to thank God for some blessing or deliverance could bring an animal to the tabernacle as an act of gratitude.
The book of 2 Chronicles describes King Hezekiah leading the Levites in offering thank offerings to God after the temple was cleansed and re-dedicated. Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 29:31, NKJV).
Celebrations and Feasts
The Israelites demonstrated thanksgiving on special occasions and holidays. For instance, when King Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem, he held a great celebration. The people worshipped and praised God, “rejoicing with great joy” (2 Chronicles 7:10, NKJV).
The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three major Jewish festivals. Part of this week-long celebration included thanking God for that year’s harvest.
Deuteronomy 16:15 (NKJV) says, “For seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.”
The Old Testament examples of thanksgiving provide valuable models for us today. Just as the Israelites sang praises, offered sacrifices, and celebrated God’s blessings, we too should cultivate grateful hearts in response to His work in our lives.
New Testament Examples
While thankfulness permeates the Old Testament, it is also a major theme in the New Testament. Jesus and the apostles frequently modeled gratitude in their words and actions.
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
In Luke 17, Jesus encounters ten lepers near a village between Samaria and Galilee. Keeping their distance from Jesus because of their disease, the lepers call out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (v.13, NKJV). Jesus simply tells them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. However, only one returned to glorify God and thank Jesus:
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18, NKJV)
Jesus praises the one who returned with a grateful heart. Thankfulness ought to be our natural response to God’s miracles and blessings in our lives.
The Last Supper
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples. During this Last Supper, He instituted what we now call Communion or the Lord’s Supper.
The gospel of Luke provides special insight into how Jesus gave thanks on this solemn night:
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:17-19, NKJV)
Even as He looked ahead to His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus paused to give thanks, setting an example for us. His body and blood provide the only way of salvation for us sinners. What a gift to be thankful for!
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
One of Jesus’ most famous miracles involved feeding over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. Found in all four Gospels, this miracle reveals important aspects of Jesus’ character and mission.
It also provides a powerful example of thanksgiving. Luke 9:16 says, “Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude” (NKJV).
With this simple prayer of thanks, Jesus enabled the food to supernaturally multiply. Not only did He model gratitude despite lacking resources, but He showed His divine power through thanksgiving.
Healing of the Ten Lepers
Upon entering a village in Galilee, Jesus encounters ten lepers who beg Him for healing:
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:11-14, NKJV)
Although all ten lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus, only one returned to thank Him:
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18, NKJV)
Jesus praises the one who returned with a grateful heart. Thankfulness ought to be our natural response to God’s miracles and blessings.
Jesus Instituted Communion
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples. During this Last Supper, He instituted what we now call Communion or the Lord’s Supper:
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19, NKJV)
Even facing betrayal and the cross, Jesus paused to give thanks, establishing a pattern for us to follow. His broken body provides salvation – certainly worthy of our eternal thanks!
Paul’s Thanksgiving Example
The New Testament epistles provide many examples of Paul giving thanks in his letters to the early churches. For instance, Colossians 1:11-12 says:
Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (NKJV)
And 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)
Paul often includes thanksgiving reports and prayers in his letters. This models for us a lifestyle of gratitude regardless of our circumstances.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)
Rather than anxiety, we are to come to God with thanksgiving, trusting He hears our needs. This attitude of gratitude leads to supernatural peace!
The New Testament gives us story after story and command after command to cultivate thankfulness. As we reflect on Jesus’ examples and the apostles’ instructions, our hearts should overflow with praise to God.
Biblical Reasons to Give Thanks
Beyond the many stories of thanksgiving in Scripture, the Bible provides us with clear theological reasons to be grateful. Here are some of the main biblical principles behind giving thanks:
God’s Character
Scripture reveals God’s attributes and character, which are worthy of our praise. 1 Chronicles 16:34 declares, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (NKJV). Because God is perfectly good, righteous, loving, merciful, and gracious toward us, He deserves our continual gratitude.
God’s Creation
Everything we enjoy comes from God’s hand of creation. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (NKJV). The natural world around us displays God’s power and deserves our wonder.
His Redemption
Most importantly, the Bible commands thanksgiving in response to Christ’s redemption. Colossians 1:12-14 describes believers as those, “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (NKJV). Our salvation is the greatest reason to be overflowing with gratitude.
His Providence
From our daily bread to our vocations to the people we love, God graciously provides good gifts from His hand. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” We must not take these provisions for granted.
His Sovereignty
Because God is on His throne ruling over all things, we can trust His perfect plan even in difficult circumstances. God promises, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV). This gives us reason for thanks in all situations.
His Presence
In Psalm 95:2, the psalmist says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving” (NKJV). Hebrews 13:15 adds, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” One day we will come into God’s presence in heaven, where thanksgiving will be never-ending.
The theological truths about God’s character, works, and promises give us a firm foundation to build a lifestyle of gratitude.
How to Cultivate Gratitude
With such compelling examples and instructions about thanksgiving in Scripture, how should believers go about cultivating gratitude in their daily lives? Here are some biblical strategies for growing in thankfulness.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Follow Christ’s model at the Last Supper and pray blessings over your meals. Bring specific requests before God while thanking Him for His faithfulness and past answers. Maintain an attitude of joy and gratitude as you commune with the Lord.
Thankfulness Lists
Keep a notebook or journal with lists of things you are thankful for. Update it regularly with new blessings and answers to prayer. Reviewing the journal will lift your spirits when you feel down.
Singing Praises
The Psalms are essentially the hymn book of the Bible! God created music as a way for our souls to praise Him. Listen to worship music and sing hymns at church and home with thankfulness.
Corporate Worship
Attend church consistently to worship God with other believers. Testify to His goodness in community. Isolation discourages gratitude, while fellowship increases it.
Generosity
Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NKJV). As we give generously to others in need and God’s work, our perspective expands from self-focus to appreciating God’s blessings to share.
Keep Thanksgiving Holy
Set aside holidays and meals as special times to reflect on God’s gifts and express thankfulness together as families, churches, and communities. Traditions reinforce thankfulness.
Thank People
Beyond thanking God, also express gratitude regularly to people He has placed in your life – parents, pastors, teachers, friends, and spouses. Send thank you notes or small gifts.
Give Thanks in Difficulty
Even painful trials provide opportunities to be refined in faith and guarded from pride. As we surrender difficult circumstances to God in prayer, He works all things for our good.
May we take up the biblical call to become more intentional about cultivating hearts of gratitude. In all circumstances, let’s remember the Lord’s benefits and give thanks.
The Connection Between Thanksgiving and Miracles
As we have seen, the Bible overflow with examples of thanksgiving, along with commands for believers to cultivate gratitude. This begs the question – what is the connection between thanksgiving and miracles?
Giving thanks positions our hearts to receive fresh outpourings of God’s supernatural power. Here are some key reasons why thanksgiving leads to miracles:
Thanksgiving Aligns Our Perspective
Miracles defy human limitations and demonstrate God’s abundant provision. Giving thanks shifts our mindset away from lack toward recognizing divine abundance. As we praise rather than complain, God gains room to work.
Thanksgiving Increases Our Capacity
A spirit of entitlement and ingratitude hinders what God wishes to impart to us. As Dallas Willard wrote, “A grateful person is humble, and a humble person can receive from God.” As we thank God for past grace, He enlarges us to hold more.
Thanksgiving Releases God’s Power
The close connection between thanksgiving and healing miracles in the Gospels suggest that gratitude releases divine power. God wishes to deliver us and meet our needs. Sincere thanksgiving demonstrates childlike faith in His goodness and ability.
Thanksgiving Multiplies Blessings
Scripture promises, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 NKJV). As we thank God for small blessings, it conditions us to be trusted with greater miracles. Gratitude keeps us from taking God’s gifts for granted.
Thanksgiving Brings Joy
The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Thanksgiving stirs up divine joy within us, which is the ideal soil for miracles to grow in. Singing praise lifts our hearts to realms of faith.
Cultivating a lifestyle of thanksgiving positions us to keep receiving fresh miracles from God’s hand. Let’s continually give Him thanks and see what He will do!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving permeates both the Old and New Testaments. The biblical examples of gratitude inspire us to reflect God’s heart by living thank-filled lives.
As we daily give thanks to God for His many blessings, it strengthens our faith and brings joy to our journey with Christ. Developing regular spiritual practices of prayer, worship, generosity, and praise positions our hearts to receive fresh miracles from His hand.
May God use His Word to renew in us a spirit of gratitude, causing thanksgiving to flow from our lips continually as a sacrifice of praise. By God’s grace, may we mirror the words of the psalmist:
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2, NKJV).
