Thanksgiving and Gratitude

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of
​our lips giving thanks to his name.  Heb 13:15

"We must thank God for the mercies we have, or else we shall not have others. In the early days when the Puritans settled in New England they were always having fast days. They had a fast day because their bread was getting short; another fast day because the Red Indians invaded them; another fast day because a ship had not arrived that they expected; and they had so many fast days that they began to get exceedingly weak. At length, one very wise brother said, “Did they not think it would be as well, now and then, to vary the thing, and to have a feast day occasionally? Would it not be quite as acceptable to God if instead of mourning over mercies they wanted, they were to thank Him for mercies enjoyed?” So they instituted what is called the thanksgiving day, which became a perpetual ordinance afterwards—the thanksgiving for mercies received. There is reason and wisdom in such a course. How dare you go and ask for anything else till you have been thankful for what you have? What do you with poor people who depend upon you? You gave the man some relief yesterday, and he walked away with an ungrateful face, shrugging shoulders, as much as to say, “That’s all!” Sometimes when you have given charity to a very greedy person, have you not seen him stand and look at it? What has been your rule when he comes next time? You have sent him away empty, and very properly is he punished. But how is it the Lord does not serve you the same? You ask Him for a mercy and you get it, and you either look at it as though it were not worth having, or else you enjoy it for a time and then forget you have ever had it, and never think of thanking Him; and then you knock at His door again, and expect that He will wait upon your lusts when you will not wait upon His throne with thanksgiving. (C. H. Spurgeon)

​Thanksgiving, Then and Now
by louis gander © 2021

The food was very scarce there back in sixteen twenty one.
The old and young went hungry with no time for games and fun

The ship had brought them to a land of opportunities,
but food was somewhat diff'rent than the food from overseas.

And sixteen out of twenty women died one winter there,
but summer months thereafter brought a feast the rest would share.

The Wampanoag had welcomed them near shores of Plymouth Bay
with Chief, Massasoit, a man who lived in Godly way.

With both the treaty and the harvest all but fully done,
the feast that they partook of was a good and healthy one.

We can't compare their hardships to the ones we have today
so we should be most thankful for the food that's on display.

With table set so perfectly so we can all enjoy
a feast of great abundance and a feast for girl and boy.

For God gives us aplenty; things that we do not deserve.
so prayer of thanks is warranted with willingness to serve.

With turkey and the trimmings and the table full of food,
we should give many thanks to God before its fully chewed.

It's difficult to really put ourselves in Pilgrim's shoes
when here we sit among our friends on soft and comfy pews.

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Note: Two excellent teachings on the very beginning history of America-and the first Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving: America's Challenge - Session 1 - Chuck Missler
https://youtu.be/hvqRVMoxRX0?si=q2d77gyUTwYMmwxo

Thanksgiving: America's Challenge - Session 2 - Chuck Missler
https://youtu.be/6_IYa5ax9nk?si=MVVOZAKGDFNYVYwE
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Psa 18:49  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 
Psa 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. 
Rev 7:12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.