“It won’t do any good,” the boy replied.

A little surprised, the dad asked, “Why not?”

“Because Mom made broccoli!”

Wishum ponders: “Of course, even for a kid who doesn’t like broccoli, there were things at the table for which he could have been grateful.  Somebody cooked dinner.  He had a table at which to eat, and a house in which to sit.  Perhaps most importantly, he had a mom and dad with whom to share the broccoli.”

Wishum notes that the words that precede “Give thanks” in the Scripture above are: “Be joyful always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).  Thanksgiving and joy go together.

“Happiness doesn’t bring gratitude; gratitude brings happiness.  We won’t experience the joy unless we express the gratitude. Give thanks and feel joy today,” writes Wishum. *

For what are you thankful today?

Give thanks to God, the Giver of all good things.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Of all of the blessings that God has given and continues to shower upon us, the Greatest Blessing is the gift of His Son Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

When we were perishing because of our sins, Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our redemption.  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

During this Thanksgiving Holiday and every day, let us give good thanks – especially for the salvation and eternal life that is found in Jesus!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15