Over 200 years ago, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Day proclamation – a call for a new nation to dedicate a day to prayer and thanksgiving for the “many signal favors of the Almighty God”.
Today we’re going to take a look at a much older declaration of national Thanksgiving, this one taking place nearly 3,000 years ago.
When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he declared a special feast and appointed a team of musicians to stand before the ark and sing a sacred song of Thanksgiving.
One line from that song sealed itself in the memory of God’s people – oh give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever!
Throughout the storyline of the Scriptures, from creation to fall, redemption to restoration – we see the steadfast love of God unfolding in ‘many signal favors’ to his people.
In light of the steadfast love of God to his creation, the most natural feeling of the human heart is gratitude.
In light of the steadfast love of God for rebels and sinners, the most natural feeling of the human heart is gratitude.
In light of the steadfast love of God in Christ our redeemer, the most natural feeling of the human heart is gratitude.
In light of the steadfast love of God soon to be revealed at the restoration of all things,the most natural act of the redeemed human heart is thanksgiving.
Three thousand years later, we join the sacred tradition of joyful thanksgiving – oh give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever!
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown