We sing this hymn at Thanksgiving, but what if the words feel inauthentic to you this Thanksgiving? Do you ever have running thoughts like these when you sing?
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
Lord, I’m not feeling thankful today, at least not thankful enough to raise a song.
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin;
Lord, I’m not feeling safe today. I dread the winter storms the media declare are looming. I can’t gather or live the way I want to. Nope, not feeling thankful.
God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
God, I know You made me. I’m not seeing my wants supplied right now. I’m honestly feeling scared and discontented.
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
You bid me to come.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28 ESV).
Lord, I am here, burdened and weary. I don’t feel gratitude or thanksgiving. Please help me to raise a song of thanksgiving today.
Give thanks in all circumstances
Lately, I’m pondering that this Scripture does not say “feel thanks” in all circumstances. It declares it is God’s will for us to “give thanks.” To give is to gift, to offer, to acknowledge and consider another. Giving happens in relationship; it’s an outward and purposeful act of care for another.
Give thanks with our words, through Him
Look, beloved in Christ! Our offering of thanksgiving may feel more like a sacrifice, a thank-offering similar to the Old Testament ceremonial offering (Lev. 7:13; Ps. 50:14; Ps. 107:22; Ps. 116:17). But how does our offering happen, according to Hebrews 13:15?
Through Him! It is His will for us to give thanks, in any and all circumstances of our lives, and God Himself intervenes to help us continually accomplish it. Because He is our Father, through Jesus Christ our Savior, we are in relationship with Him. By His grace, by His gift to us, He gives us the words to offer back to Himself as thanksgiving! The Lord Himself is our source.
We use these words with our voices. We give thanks to Him by acknowledging His character, His unchanging essence. Although our circumstances may not produce emotions or feelings of gratitude, we can use our words, “the fruit of lips” to intentionally thank Him as we speak His name back to Him.
Dear friends, I’ve realized that my words of thanksgiving often come forth in response to His grace. He’s given me so much when I have deserved nothing, born into this world as a sinner. Do I deserve ease and comfort? Do I deserve physical health? Do I deserve anything? I’ve realized that my bent to sinning is one of pride that produces discontentment with circumstances I think aren’t desirable. By His grace, I remember He’s rescued me from my naturally sinful self and my only response is one of humble thanks. It is surrender, obedience, yielding to the One who declared me righteous, through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank You, Father, for such grace and love.
Give thanks to God when I don’t feel like it
In moments of discontentment, I re-discover my need to repent. I need to turnaround to the gospel and turnaround to a response of praise and thanksgiving. Often, the Psalms give me the words to offer back to Him. If you don’t feel thankful today, will you join me in coming to His Word and speaking these words back to Him today?
If you were to put any of the following words in bold, where does He focus your heart today?
We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds (Ps. 75:1 ESV).
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence (Ps. 140:13 ESV).
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you! (Ps. 145:10 ESV).
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations (Ps. 108:3 ESV).
My glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Ps. 30:12 ESV)
Sing thanks to give thanks!
Songs that sing words of thanks back to Him are His powerful gifts of grace, to give us words as sung “fruit of lips.” Through these songs, we can glorify God and enjoy Him forever!
I’ve created a YouTube playlist (with lyrics) for us to use this week for this exact purpose. This week, I’ve blended hymns, Scriptural songs, and Psalms to sing as a thank offering as He enables and empowers us. Through it, we will give thanks to God for His unchanging character, His name.
Did you know that research shows that singing thanks often helps us to feel thankful too? Hallelujah! Oh, what a gift of His grace! I pray this is a useful resource for you in that way!
If you would find this playlist helpful, sign up here and I will email it to you on Tuesday evening!
