Preparing for Thanksgiving

“And David said: ‘Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of Israel our Father, forever and ever.  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.  Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honor come from You and You rule over all.  In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.  And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name.;” - I Chronicles 29:10-13 (ESV).

We are twelve days away from a great American holiday, Thanksgiving.  It is a time for us to count our blessings and to express gratitude for life itself and the blessings of health, home and happiness that we enjoy.

The focal passage selected for today’s meditation is David’s great prayer of praise and supplication.  It was given at the climax of his reign as king, just before the kingship was passed on to his son, Solomon.  But the beautiful prayer is a good example for us as we prepare to lift grateful hearts to God on our special day set aside for thanksgiving.  David recognizes God in  very significant ways:

            1.  God is Sovereign, not only over Israel but over all; His is a universal kingdom.

            2.  All riches and strength come from the Lord God.

            3.  God has the power over nations and people.

            4.  Praise and glory are due the Lord God.

The occasion also marked the presentations of offerings to build the Temple of God which Solomon, David’s son, would lead in implementing.  The people had reason to rejoice and be thankful, for the offerings were magnanimous (see I Chronicles 29:1-9 for an inventory of gifts).

Another event of the glad occasion was the official anointing of Solomon as king to succeed his father David.  He had already been recognized in a a coup led by Adonijah (see 1 Kings 1:28-40).  But on this glad occasion, Solomon was properly recognized:  “All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon” (I Chronicles 29:24). 

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, we will no doubt plan an elaborate family meal, send invitations, bring in the food, and prepare our favorite recipes characteristic of Thanksgiving.  But let us review David’s prayer and prepare our hearts and minds for Thanksgiving, acknowledging first the sovereignty, worthiness and magnanimous nature of God.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” should reverberate as a daily chorus of praise through our minds as we prepare our hearts and minds for the glorious season of Thanksgiving.