Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever – Psalm

Psalms 118:1

On the fourth Thursday of November every year, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It is the preeminent and most celebrated federal holiday in that country because of what the day stands for. It is a day people express gratitude to God for His blessings and give thanks to friends and family for their love and support. It has a long history that dates back to 1621 when the Pilgrims and their Native American hosts held the first diner at Plymouth in celebration of God’s answer to the prayers for rains, after a terrible drought, and for a bountiful harvest. Though many people differ in opinions concerning this event, it does not take away its essence – thanksgiving to God. Over the years, it has taken on the character as a secular celebration; God is still the focus. Likewise, in the Bible, many people paused to give special thanks to God for His favor and blessings.

When God delivered Noah and his family from the floods, he built an altar and sacrificed burnt offerings to thank God (Gen. 8:20). Abraham built an altar at Bethel and worshipped the Lord in recognition of God’s promise to give the land of the Canaanites to his offspring (Gen.12:6-8). Isaac built an altar at Beersheba and called on the name of the Lord after striving with the Philistines over wells (Gen. 26:23-25). Jacob built an altar at Shechem in Canaan and thanked God, calling Him El-Elohe Israel – Mighty is the God of Israel – after God had blessed him with a large family and wealth; and brought him back safely from Mesopotamia (Gen.33:20). Moses and the Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving to God after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and deliverance from the Egyptian army (Exodus 15). David wrote many Psalms in celebration of God’s deliverance from many situations with King Saul and all his enemies (2Sam 22). In Psalms 103, he showed us how to thank God for His many blessings. 

In the same way, we, the members of the International Baptist Church of Dakar, have cause to thank the Lord for His many blessings through the year. We celebrate His deliverance and protection from a countless number of situations, including Covid-19. The world is moving so fast that sometimes, we hardly have time to stop to grab a bite. But one thing we cannot fail to do is to stop and say, “Thank you, Lord.” And we remember to bring ourselves and the best of our possessions as a thanksgiving offering to Him. 

So, rejoice today and celebrate the goodness of God for the bountiful blessings He has lavished on you in 2020. As you bring your best as an offering to God today, may its pleasing aroma fill the heavenly sanctuary, and may it move the Lord to declare more blessings upon you for the coming year, in Christ Jesus. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday!