Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100: 3-5

Patrina and I attended the Thanksgiving Eve service at a church in Cincinnati tonight and I jotted down the following note when I heard this simple phrase a couple of times during the service.

Beyond the meal and football, most of us will at least think for a moment about what were are thankful for. We are thankful for our parents, our families, and our churches. We are thankful for our friends, our jobs, and our customers. We are (or should be) thankful “for” so many things if we would just take the time to make a list, but at the top of any list, there should be someone we direct our thanks “to” as the ultimate source of all things in our lives and that person is found in our Creator, God.

Paul reminded us of those who did not give thanks or honor God –

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened”
(Romans 1:21).

Contrast that picture with the one in the verses above. It is God’s will that we direct our ultimate thanks to Him alone and to remember His goodness and faithfulness in every situation.

So, as you make even a mental list today, begin by thanking and honoring our Heavenly Father by remembering who He is and all the things He has done.