Top 20 Bible Verses for Thanksgiving
Top 20 Bible Verses for Thanksgiving.
As for holidays, Thanksgiving is probably my favorite. The food is incredible, the family gatherings are always fun, and the football games are plentiful. I can't think of a better way to spend a long weekend.
But Thanksgiving is much more than an American holiday. It is a condition of the heart. It is a sacrifice of the soul. It is a lifestyle choice.
If you need a little encouragement for Thanksgiving, here are the Top 20 Bible Verses for Thanksgiving.
1. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so… Psalms 107:1-2 (KJV).
This is one of my favorite verses about thanksgiving because it goes beyond telling us to be thankful. We are instructed to say so, which is something, I think, we often forget to do.
2. I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalms 9:1 (NIV).
So when we say so, what are we supposed to say? We are supposed to tell of all of God's wonderful deeds and all He has done for us.
3. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 1 Chronicles 16:8 (KJV).
It's so important David says it twice. A little later in the same chapter he also reminds us why: "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." 1 Chronicles 16:34 (KJV).
4. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV).
We should all take this verse to heart and apply it. Let's also consider the preceding verses:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16.
Gratitude is a condition of the heart. May our hearts be grateful.
5. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB).
How do we guard our heart so it remains grateful? We give thanks. Don't be anxious. Give thanks. In giving thanks, you develop a thankful heart. It's one huge spiral of thanksgiving.
6. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV).
Speaking of the thanksgiving spiral... As we give thanks for God's grace and mercy, His grace becomes more abundant through our thanksgiving to His glory. It's quite a brilliant design, don't you think?
7. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (NIV).
Generosity results in a similar spiral where we are enriched in every way so we can continue to be generous. And that also results in thanksgiving to God.
8. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. Jonah 2:9 (NASB).
Thanksgiving is a sacrifice, no doubt. It takes guts to give a thanksgiving shoutout to the Lord, but we do because, as Jonah concludes, "Salvation is from the Lord."
9. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalms 116:17 (KJV).
Lest you doubt.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
10. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB).
Thanksgiving is not just a sacrifice we are to make when we feel thankful. We are to give thanks in all things. It's God's will.
11. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (NIV).
We are to give thanks in everything and for everything.
12. Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to You, O Lord; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me..." Isaiah 12:1 (NKJV).
Thanksgiving is also something we offer when we've fallen, especially when we've fallen.
13. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV).
Not that thanksgiving excuses us from wrongdoing, but it helps to keep us from it. The more we give thanks, the less we have the time and opportunity to do something else.
14. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever... Psalms 136:1-3 (ESV).
Only a good, steadfast, loving, God of gods, and Lord of lords could conceive of and instill such a beautiful thanksgiving scheme.
15. O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalms 95:2-3 (KJV).
Such a great God and King is deserving of our thanks.
16. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12 (NASB).
And it's not just us who give thanks to our God.
17. ...The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord. They will sing, 'Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, for the Lord is good. His faithful love endures forever!’... Jeremiah 33:11 (NLT).
We will all give thanks one day.
18. And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign..." Revelation 11:16-17 (NASB).
Oh, what a glorious day that will be.
19. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalms 107:8-9 (NLT).
This post began with Psalm 107, so it's fitting that it ends with Psalm 107.
20. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 100 (KJV).
And perhaps the most recognizable verse on thanksgiving, but for good reason because it demonstrates that we are all invited. We are invited to enter God's gates and court, and we are to enter with thanksgiving and praise. Let's do it.
The Top 20 Bible Verses for Thanksgiving is a part of the Top Bible Verses for the Holidays series which includes:
