November 4th

The Power of Thanksgiving

2 Chronicles 5:13
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

The Giving of Thanks

The month of November is the month in which Thanksgiving is celebrated. That makes November a special time to look at the Biblical basis of thanksgiving, or, that is, the giving of thanks to God.

There is much in the Scriptures about the subject of giving thanks. In this passage from Second Chronicles, we see the Dedication service of the Temple of Solomon. The Temple worship was patterned after the worship that had taken place in King David’s tent of worship on Mount Zion, with a great variety of musical instruments, and with singing.

The House was Filled with a Cloud

This was a service of thanksgiving to the LORD. The trumpeters and singers made one sound together, in praising and thanking the LORD. In the midst of this loud musical sound, the singers lifted up their voices and declared, “For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.” And it says that the building was filled with a cloud.

God Inhabits Our Thanksgiving

The cloud that filled the building was the presence and glory of God. God Himself showed up when praise and thanksgiving was offered to Him. And this is a Biblical truth, that God’s presence comes when we praise Him and give Him thanks. We can see this in Psalm 22:3.

Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

The Greek word “Yashab” is translated here as “inhabitest.“ It means to sit down, as in rest, to abide in, to dwell in. The LORD sits down in and dwells in the praises of His people. The quickest way to get the presence of the LORD is to praise Him and give Him thanks. The word translated “praises” in Psalm 22:3 means adoration and thanksgiving.

Start developing a heart attitude of gratitude and thanks to the LORD today. Tell Him what you’re thankful for in your life. Giving thanks will begin to create a joyful heart, that is of great value in the life of every believer.