Giving Thanks As We Grow Older Sermon V: Let Us Give Thanks Series

LET US GIVE THANKS

Psalm 118:1

“O give thanks unto the Lord,

for he is good; his love endures forever.”

As we observe A season of thanksgiving, let us be grateful not only in word but also in deed. Let our gratitude express itself in a resolve to live a life more consecrated to Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior.

When we sit around our tables laden with turkey and dressing and all the trimmings, let us not forget that half the world will go to bed hungry.

I say this not to cause anyone to feel guilty about enjoying good food; after all, if we believe that God provides for our needs, then we should never be ashamed to partake of the bounty of his goodness. Of course, there is something to be said in favor of partaking of God’s provision in moderation!

Eating right is one of the essentials for good health. The motto posted by Truett Cathy in his Chic-Fil-A eating establishments reminds us that “Food is essential to live; therefore, enjoy it.”

Long before Mr. Cathy came up with that slogan, Paul the Apostle wrote these words of advice to the Christians in Rome: “He who eats food eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God.” Let us not forget, though, that the same apostle admonished Christians in Philippi to: “Let your moderation be known in all things.”

When thanksgiving is filled with the true meaning of giving thanks to God, rather than simply going through the motions of feasting for the sake of filling our stomachs, then thanksgiving becomes a recognition on our part of our dependence on God our Father. That is the way it should be. So, that is why we also bow our heads and return thanks anytime we enjoy a meal together.

Remember the prayer of the little girl who asked her mom at the café, “Why don’t we say the blessing in here” and the waitress asked all the folks in the other booths to bow their heads while the little child returned thanks? “God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food. Amen” What a difference a simple prayer of thanks made in the life of one man who was there, “crying in his coffee” so to speak, over his losses in life, and was so moved by the little girl’s sincerity that he was led to share that life-changing moment with others.

Thanksgiving can and will change life for the better when it causes us to remember, and not forget, our dependence on God and others for meeting our needs. “Lord God, I know that I am completely dependent upon you. Thank you for daily bread.”

Many churches along with the Salvation Army ask for donations to help blot out world hunger – a gigantic task that requires the united giving of all people and all nations everywhere. We need to do more; together we can do what we need to do; every donation, even though small, helps. Giving to help feed the hungry is being grateful in deed as well as in word.

As we enjoy the comforts of our cozy rooms in our homes, whether we live in private residences or assisted living facilities, let us not forget that huge numbers of folks in other parts of the world have no homes to go to.

Jesus himself was a homeless person during his three years of ministry on this earth. It should not be surprising, therefore, that he likened our giving of help to the homeless unto giving help to himself. “Since you have done so unto one of the least of these, you have done so unto me.”

When we realize that the Son of God had no place to call home once he left his family home place in Nazareth, it is then that we understand how he can empathize with those who have had to leave the place they once called home and move into other places shared by other folks who are in the same boat. After a while, though, it begins to “sink in” that home can be wherever you are if you choose to make it so.

Yes, there is no place like home, but for Christians, home is where the heart is; or, home is where the presence of God is. That is why Jesus sought to comfort his followers prior to his departure, with the assurance he spoke in these words: “I go to prepare a place for you . . . so that where I am, there you may be also.” Home is where the presence of God is!

In the Lord’s Prayer, we read, “Give us this day our daily bread.” This request serves as a reminder to us that the good things of this life are the gifts of God, and that he is the donor of all our blessings.