Today is a special Thanksgiving edition of Friday is for Scripture.

 ¹ It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; ² To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, ³ On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. ⁴ For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

What a tremendous opening statement. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord”. This particular psalm was assigned to be recited during the weekly temple services on the Sabbath day. As worshippers gathered weekly, they heard this reminder, “it is good to give thanks to the Lord”.  It is in verse two that we are reminded of the frequency of our thanks, “in the morning” and “every night”. What a great reminder for Christians today to make Thanksgiving an attitude instead of a holiday.

I know that Thanksgiving is a busy day. Meals are being prepared, games are being watched, naps are being taken, and sales are being reviewed for Friday. As we gather together today with our families, I want to encourage you to take some time around the table and share what you are most thankful for. Slow down and remember the psalmist’s words, “it is good to give thanks to the Lord”. I am thankful for many things. I thank the Lord for my salvation. For it was first His and He made it available. I am thankful to be Jordan’s dad and Terri’s husband. I am thankful to be the pastor of a congregation of people who love the Lord, the lost, and me. The privilege is mine. As you think about what you are thankful for today, let me mention a few briefly.

1. Food – Today you will eat all you want. You will go back for more, and will likely take some home with you. There will be some today who won’t eat at all. Thank the Lord for what you have.

2. Shelter – We will enjoy houses full of family regardless of the weather outside. We may even say “there is not enough room in here”, while many today don’t adequate or permanent shelter. Thank the Lord for what you have.

3. Family –  Houses will be filled with people today. Children will be running in and out. They won’t be using their inside voices. Someone may say “it is too crowded in here, I’ve got to get outside”. There will be some today separated from their family. There may be some who don’t even know where a family member is. This may be the first holdiday without a spouse. Thank the Lord for what you have.

4. Clean Water – We will have all the safe water we need to wash with, cook with, and drink without having to leave the house. Many today will walk miles for water they know is not safe to drink. What else can they do? Thank the Lord for what you have.

God has blessed us beyond comprehension. Please don’t forget Him today.

Happy Thanksgiving.