As we come to enjoy a day that we call Thanksgiving let us learn from the Lord what a blessing it is to be thankful – even to be thankful for all things, and in all things (Eph. 5:20, I Th. 5:18). 

When the Lord went to the grave of Lazarus to raise him from death, He began His prayer by saying, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me and I know that You always hear Me" (Jn. 11:41-42). He then commanded Lazarus to come forth from the dead.

Though we cannot literally give life to the physically dead, we may be used of God in His purpose to give life to the spiritually dead. We will have to begin where the Lord began though, by knowing and thanking God that He has heard us, and always hears us. But we can only be sure of this if we are His people, and are living in obedience to His word.

The Lord also gave thanks to His Father and rejoiced in spirit that He was the Sovereign Ruler - Lord of heaven and earth (Lk. 10:21). May we do the same.

The Lord says all things are for our sakes (II Cor. 4:15). If we truly believe this, then we will obey the Lord and be thankful for all things and in all things. People around us will then see the power of the risen Lord as we manifest His life and His grace. This will then cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God (II Cor. 4:11,15).

Oh, let us not lose heart in our difficult times. Let us know that our Father always hears us, and thank Him continually for this most blessed privilege of all – that of coming boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our souls among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. Our God has tested us; refined us as silver; brought us into the net; laid affliction on our backs and caused men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water, but He has brought us out to know more of the riches of Christ (Psa. 66:8-12). "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15).

Blessed be God, Who has not turned away our prayers, Nor His mercy from us!