With Thanksgiving upon us, many people may be looking to find both reasons and resources to express thankfulness in the midst of difficult times. The Holy Bible, the collection of works across centuries and the core to the faith of Christians, can help provide such expressions when words fail. Scripture also provides reasons for thankfulness which we often do not think about – deliverance from evil, simple provisions from God, salvation, and life itself.
Which Scriptures from the Old Testament Exhibit Thankfulness?
Throughout the Old Testament, thanks were often expressed to God usually for deliverance from enemies. Probably the greatest example of thankfulness was when the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea, escaping from the Egyptians when God parted the waters. Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying:
“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and my song,
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this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a man of war;
the LORD is his name.”
The Book of Psalms
The Old Testament also provides the easiest way to find inspiration for thankfulness during the time of Thanksgiving. Turn to any page in the book of Psalms, where David, and others, expressed their thankfulness to God.
In Psalm 103:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Where Can We Find Thankfulness in the New Testament?
In the New Testament, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Praises and thanks God for allowing her to be the mother of the Messiah. In Luke 1, her prayer is known as the Magnificat:
“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”
Jesus Christ Himself provides the simplest of thanks over probably the most important meal ever eaten – the Last Supper:
Luke 22:17: “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Apostle Paul
Finally, in Philippians and elsewhere, the Apostle Paul, who often found himself in dire circumstances, encourages others to be thankful. He writes from prison;
Philippians 4: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
And in I Thessalonians 5:18:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Paul’s thankfulness comes from his perspective that there is something greater than his temporal circumstances, and that salvation from Jesus Christ is greater than any hardship – and worth any hardship – that he has borne.
Were There Prayers for Material Possessions?
Rarely in the Bible was a thanksgiving prayer offered for material possessions, though indeed it did happen occasionally. More often, thankfulness was given to God for some other reason. In Exodus, Moses thanks God for defeating the Egyptians, leading the Hebrews to safety. David often thanked God for victory over enemies. Jesus gave simple thanks for food, and Paul gave thanks for simply being alive in prison, still able to spread the Gospel about God’s love.
