1. For God’s blessing of the harvest
God’s provision to Israel after they entered the Promised Land
“24But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal. 25And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:24,25)
“9And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. 10And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God: 11And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee.” (Deuteronomy 26:9-11a)
2. For food that God has provided
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.” (Deuteronomy 8:10)
“And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” (Joel 2:26)
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” (John 6:11)
3. For God’s blessing on the household and on the nation
II Samuel 7:18-29 – This is a long passage, but I would encourage you to look it up. It is well worth the uplifting the reading of it brings.
4. Song of Thankfulness
II Samuel 22 – David’s song of thankfulness to God for deliverance and for God’s greatness and matchless character
5. Solomon’s expression of thankfulness to God for His faithfulness and goodness.
Has God been faithful to us? How can we express our thanks to Him?
“14And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) 15And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying…” (See I Kings 8:14-21 for the whole story)
6. Thanksgiving offered to God because He is worthy
“14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me… 23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:14,15,23)
7. Thankfulness to God for His mercy and mighty acts and His praise, which are greater than we can even imagine
“1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?” (Psalm 106:1)
8. Thankfulness to God for salvation and deliverance
“1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” (Psalm 107:1,2)
9. For wisdom from God in difficult situations
“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his.” (Daniel 2:20)
See verses 13-23 for the whole story
Our hearts should overflow with thankfulness, “6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6,7) Prayer with thankfulness is key to experiencing the peace of God. “6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7) Our heart should overflow with thankfulness to God for all the wonderful blessings we receive from Him and it should overflow with thankfulness to God because He is worthy of our offerings of thanksgiving. “14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me… 23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:14,15,23)
Now Thank We All Our God
1. Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath wrought,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
2. O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
To keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world in the next.
3. All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Spirit blest,
Who reign in highest heaven
The one eternal God,
Whom heaven and earth adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
~Martin Rinkart,
translated by Catherine Winkworth