Village Schools of the Bible

WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?
A study of Philippians 4,
by Max Frazier, Jr.

When the New England colonies were first planted, the settlers endured many difficulties and hardships. But being Christians, they laid all their difficulties and hardships at the feet of Jesus. Their minds, however, kept focusing upon their trials, much like we do today, resulting in their experiencing great periods of doubt and depression, even to the extent where some wanted to return to England.

One day, when the colonists met to ponder their trials, one brave soul rose to his feet and said that it was time that the people began to consider their mercies and blessings. The colony was growing stronger each day, the harvest had been better than anticipated, the weak were made strong and sickness was not as bad, and they all enjoyed full religious freedoms. This man proposed that instead of a day of mourning over their trials, a day of thanksgiving be set aside for praise to God.

Today we could have great cause to sit down and bemoan our troubles. The world seems to teeter on the brink of war. Wall Street seems to be in a very unsettled time. For the past few months we have been pressured with the rhetoric of politicians to the point where belief has become difficult. But, we should take the advice of that colonist. Let us pause to rejoice and to praise God for what He has done for us.

Thanksgiving is Contentment
Philippians 4:11-12

The head of a household at the morning meal had asked the blessing as usual, thanking God for a bountiful provision. Immediately afterwards he began to mumble about the hard times, the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat, and the way it was cooked. His little daughter interrupted him and said, "Father, do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?" "Certainly," he replied confidently. "And did He hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?" "Of course", the father replied, not quite so confidently. "Then, Father, which did God believe?"

We live within a country where contentment is often missing. We are always looking for something more. We want steak instead of hamburger. We want this. We want that. I am reminded of the story of the farmer Jesus related in Luke 12:16-21. Here was a man who was not content with what God had given to him.

Paul states in verse 12, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Thanksgiving is being content with what God has supplied.

Thanksgiving is Confidence
Philippians 4:13-19

Paul writes in verse 13, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Paul was confident from where his strength had come. It was from the Lord. I am reminded of that old Sunday school song: Got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can't tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do. Another song writer has shared similar truths with these words: Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

In Matthew 19:26, the disciples asked Jesus a searching question: How can a man be saved? Jesus replied, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. David killed Goliath....because of God. Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal.... because of God. Daniel was spared from the lions....because of God. The three young men walked in the fiery furnace....because of God. Paul and Silas could sing in the midst of that prison in Philippi....because of God. You can accomplish that task that lies before you....because of God. Thanksgiving is confidence in God as our source of strength.

Paul expresses another reason for confidence in verse 19: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. It is so easy today to state, "Look at what I have gotten. Look at what I have done." Our focus is upon the "big I" instead of upon God.

A little boy of six was invited out to eat at a neighbor's home. As soon as all were seated at the table, the food was served. The little boy was puzzled, and, with a child's frankness said, "Don't you pray before you eat?" The host was uncomfortable and mumbled, "No, we don't take time for that." The lad thought silently for a while and said, "You're just like my dog; you start right in."

Do we start right in without thanking God for His daily provisions? We have absolutely nothing but what has come from God. That turkey you and your family will eat this Thanksgiving Day came from God. Now you might say, "Well, I bought that turkey with money I had earned!" Of course you did! But who gave you the strength to work to earn the money so you could buy the turkey? God did!

I remember reading a story one time about Louisa May Alcott, relating an experience in her childhood. She and her parents were Christians and loved the Lord. One cold winter day, a poor, sick child came to beg for fire wood from them as his father was out getting drunk and his mother had died. At first, Mrs. Alcott hesitated as the weather was very cold and they could get no firewood chopped again until Monday as they would not work on Sunday. Mr. Alcott told them to give the child half of the firewood and to trust God. "Either the weather will moderate or God will send us the wood," was his reply. Soon another knock came to the door and it was a wood hauler whose sled had broken down while on his way to Boston. Because of the weather, he was returning home and wanted to know if the family would like to have his sled of wood.

One of Mrs. Alcott's favorite sayings was this: "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days it will come back to you....buttered" (a great paraphrase of Ecclesiastes 11:1). Thanksgiving is confidence in God as our source of supply.

Thanksgiving is Continuous
Gratitude: Philippians 4:6

In verse 6 Paul states, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Do we always thank God for everything, or do we harbor resentment against God for what He has given us? Can we thank God for every circumstance that we face? Can we thank Him for the blizzard as well as the sunshine? (That, I must admit, is a difficult one for me.) Can we thank Him for the sickness as well as for the health? Thanksgiving is having a continuous voice of praise to God for what He has done.

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving in the life of the believer. A day in which he experiences a contentment with his circumstances; a day where confidence in God as his source of strength and supply is celebrated; a day that has a continuous voice of gratitude raised to God. Yes, rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice!

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