At this time of year, we hear a lot about the things we should be thankful for, such as family, good health, financial resources and the things we need that they buy. It is important to give thanks for the blessings of life that we receive. But there is another question that needs to be answered: Who is the recipient of our thanks?
When people offer thanks, they usually do it through small phrases. Some may say, “I thank my lucky stars,” as if those stars can hear them or had something to do with their blessings. They might as well say, “I thank that pile of dirt over there,” or “I thank that building that I work in.”
Some give thanks to chance with no real recipient of their praise. Others may even say, “Thank God,” not really meaning any particular god but some unknown deity out there somewhere.
In America, historically, our forefathers made it very plain that they meant none other than God Jehovah – the one spoken of in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The early pilgrims who shared the first Thanksgiving with the Native Americans shared this sentiment, as well as the early founders of our United States of America.
The writers of these scriptures over and over remind us that it is our duty to offer praise and thanksgiving to our Father, the creator of the heaven and the earth and the provider of every good thing that we enjoy. We ought to especially offer him thanks for sending his Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth to offer us peace, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.