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Thanksgiving is a distinctly American holiday. More than that, it is distinctly Christian. What person, so pursued and gripped by the saving love and grace of God in Christ Jesus, could do anything but offer his or her life as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God? Eph 5:20; Phil 4:6; Col 3:17; 1 Thess 5:18 

Our Puritan fathers in the faith have left us a rich heritage of immense gratitude for the blessings of God upon us, as individual followers of Jesus, and as churches, and as a nation. Here is one expression of such thanksgiving from the book of Puritan prayers, The Valley of Vision.

“O my God, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves Thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before Thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless Thee for the soul Thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body Thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing sense to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do Thy bidding; for Thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing Thee clearly.

I love Thee above the powers of language to express, for what Thou art to Thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.”

And let all God’s people redeemed by the blood of Jesus say . . . amen. 

May you be given a deeper sense of God’s greatness and goodness this week as you gather ‘round tables with family and friends. Truly, we are blessed beyond measure, and of all people on earth, ought to be the most grateful. 

Happy Thanksgiving, dear Church!

by Keith McWhorter