I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the years from Kings—yes, from my family since my maiden name is King, but recently I learned a new lesson from a real King, King David. And it has to do with Thanksgiving . . .
I think we have the thanks part down, for we are taught from a young age not to just grab and go when we receive a gift, but to stop and thank the giver.
As Christians we also know that we are to be thankful to the Lord for what 
He has given us. I have to admit that when I think of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and the meal that I will share with my family I also begin thinking of all the ways I am thankful. But that thankfulness is very one sided.
I thank the Lord for all He has done for ME, all He has given ME and my family, how He has protected and provided for Me and my family. There’s nothing wrong with this, for Paul tells us in 2 Thess. 5:18 “ . . . in everything give thanks . . .” and that’s just one verse out of many where we are told to give thanks.
But again, it’s one sided. Me, Me, Me.
King David gives us another side to thanking God. In his song of thanksgiving found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 he gives thanks to God for many things, but the king does something else. He focuses more on God, not himself.
As we read this song of thanksgiving we see that not only did King David thank God for what He had done, he testified of God’s:
Deeds
Wondrous works
Strength
Judgment
Good news of His salvation
Everlasting covenant
Goodness
Steadfast love that endures forever
King David goes on to say:
“For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; . . .
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.”
And:
“Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!”
I am thankful and will thank God during this special time of the year, but I also need to give Him glory and give back as I come before Him. Just like a child, I need to learn not to grab and go but to give back!
Give back by praising Him, honoring Him, seeking Him, and remembering His great works as I tell others. I want to thank Him, but I want it to be about Him, not about me.
What about you? Just as children are taught, the Word of God teaches us, and I for one have learned a new lesson about thanksgiving this year.
My thanks giving will be just that . . .
more giving . . .
to God.
Photos courtesy of pixabay.com
Scripture is taken from the NKJV
