Our thankfulness glorifies God and makes Him happy: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me” (Psalm 50:23). Puritan John Boys echoed the sentiment of the psalmist: “As the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, so likewise a cheerful thanksgiver.” But God isn’t the only one affected when we give thanks.

God is the Almighty Judge who brings one person down while exalting another with purposes and timing that only He understands. His creatures may respond to His mysterious ways with bitterness, indifference, or praise. Given these alternatives, I choose praise.

This has been another year of challenges related to Nanci’s cancer and treatments. However, paradoxically yet providentially, to us it has been a very good year. We are filled with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday; it’s a daily privilege and command. The happiest people are the most thankful ones. Here are some verses to contemplate and perhaps share with family and friends this week.

As it has been for many of you, 2020 has been a difficult year for Nanci and me for many reasons. But the more difficult the year, the more we need to take time to focus on giving thanks and praising our God of grace.

In this video clip, Randy Alcorn and Pastor Greg Laurie discuss thoughts on Thanksgiving and having a Christ-centered perspective during the holidays. 

Happy people celebrate their conversion not just once, but over and over. They are profoundly grateful for what God has done for them.

Charles Spurgeon shared this in his sermon “Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude”: "Let us begin to be very thankful, if we have not been so before. Let us praise God for common mercies, for they prove to be uncommonly precious when they are once taken away."

Stephanie Anderson is part of our staff at Eternal Perspective Ministries. When Steph recently lost her baby Isaiah, after receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 18, Nanci’s and my hearts were deeply touched.