“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name O Most High” (Psalm 92:1).

Singing praises to the Lord and giving thanks unto the Lord is a good thing indeed. Whether you and your family will gather for a Thanksgiving meal or even if it is just you having a quiet day and having a cheese sandwich and bowl of soup, please remember that it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. If you are in a group setting, you are welcome to copy this devotional and use it sometime during your gathering. Pastor Kenward was concerned about his church family. He loved them very much, yet something just wasn’t right. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he knew that something was missing in his church family. Then the missionaries returned home from the West African field and reported to the church family. They showed their pictures and shared the joy that they and the church family across the ocean shared. They proclaimed, “We don’t have much of this world’s goods, but we do have a lot of blessings from the Lord.” The next week after the missionary presentation, Pastor Kenward stood before the congregation. “We have so much. Did you see the church frame of a building under which our brothers and sisters meet? Did you notice the surroundings? Did you see how little they had? And yet did you notice the joy radiating from them as they praised the Lord for His goodness to them? I would like you to use the paper in your worship bulletins entitled, ‘It’s Good to Give Thanks to the Lord’ and start writing a few of the things for which you are thankful. Our organist is going to quietly play while you start writing.” An amazing thing happened. People started writing. Then they started crying. Then one person quietly raised his hand. After being recognized by Pastor Kenward, that person stood and confessed his sin of being ungrateful. Then another. Then another. Others took turns sharing some of the things for which they gave thanks. The service went way over typical dismissal time. It was a grand day and a turning point in that church. Today will be a wonderful day for you to share either by yourself or with others some of the things for which you are thankful.

For today: It’s always good to give thanks to the Lord.