(It is a regular thing for people to say they’re giving thanks, the thought should not be discouraged from the standpoint that it is being encouraged by the Bible.
Recently this country the United States of America celebrated an annual event called “Thanksgiving “. Interestingly enough when we think about the origins of this cultural event, the founding fathers came to America in an effort to escape persecution from the Church of England. After settling in this new country, they embarked upon agriculture. The yielding of the different crops brought them an abundance of produce creating the awareness of God’s blessings upon them.
In 1621 they established a feast of harvest which was the first thanksgiving. This is commemorated every year. In November of 1863 President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday. which is celebrated every year on the last Thursday of November.
As we read God’s word, well-discover that we are called upon to give thanks to God for more than yielding crops. In Psalms 136, 26 times we are told why we should give God thanks. While I will encourage you to read Psalms 136, in which all the verses declare, for his mercies endureth forever, let’s take a closer look at the first 3 verses. “Psalms 136:1 O, give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever”.
We should give God thanks because he is good. No strings attached. For out of that goodness produce mercy.
2: “O give thanks unto the God of gods: his mercy endureth forever”.
Here we are told the reason why we are to give God Thanks, is because there is no other God besides him. All the other gods are idols.
3: “O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth forever.
Again, we are called upon to give thanks unto the Lord of lords, for the same reason which are seeing in all the verses, for his mercy endureth forever.
As you read this Psalms spend some time and let the Psalm speak to you, then we will appreciate why we give thanks.
Over the years this Psalm was read almost every Sunday. At times the entire Chapter was read by all,.at another time, some said O give Thanks unto the LORD and others said, His Mercies endureth Forever. Our Elder who is now with Jesus, in Sunday School one morning, gave V1-2–3-26: It was such a blessing. We should always be giving thanks, especially for His Mercies which are manifold and new ever morning and most of all, His Mercy rejoices over His Judgment. O thank you LORD: Mercy there was great and Grace was free, there my burdened heart found liberty at Calvary.