Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Thanksgiving (04/18/05)
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TITLE: The sacrifice of thanksgiving | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ebony Broussard
04/25/05 -
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“What should you say when someone gives you something?” the young mother asks her little girl.
“Thank you!” the little girl replied, flashing a smile of gratitude to emphasize her expression of ‘thanks.’
When I was growing up, no matter what someone gave you, you said “thank you.” Now, this “philosophy of thanks” worked very well for me as long as I was getting something that I wanted or needed. Unfortunately, this “philosophy of thanks” did not extend to those things that I did not want. The thought of saying “thanks” for something that I obviously did not want seemed absurd. In my youth, it would have been like saying “thanks” to my brother after he had thrown an ice ball (a very close relative of the snowball) and hit me in the eye! But, as an adult, I realize the Lord knew thanksgiving would not come easy when we were facing difficult times. He knew thanksgiving would require more than wanting and receiving good things in our lives, it would require a sacrifice.
During the time when we are experiencing difficulty, a sacrifice is necessary. Leviticus 22:29 (KJV) says, “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.” The most wonderful and difficult part of thanksgiving involves our choice to give thanks despite our circumstance. Thanksgiving is essential to our acknowledging and recognizing that the Lord is in control. It is a profession of faith in Him as well as an appeal to His grace and mercy to reconcile our situation.
2Corinthians 4:15 (KJV) “ For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”
Just as Moses was able to appeal to the Lord on the behalf of the Israelites, we too, have the ability and power to appeal to the mercy and grace of God on the behalf of our loved ones, church members, community, church family, enemies, etc., by giving thanks! Ultimately, giving thanks glorifies God to the hearer and allows God a rightful place in our lives.
Revelations 7:12 (KJV) “Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.”
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