The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

In Psalm 116 : 12 the Psalmist asks the question, “What shall I give to the Lord for all His benefits to me?”  (In other words, “How can I rightly & properly ‘pay God back’ for all He’s done for, and given to, me?”)

The first, (& most important) answer he gives to his own question is found in the very next verse.  For there he states, “I will take the cup of salvation…” (v. 13a).  The fact is – there is NO WAY we can better “pay God back” or show our appreciation to God for His goodness to us than to personally believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.  If we’re talking and talking about how “thankful” we are to God this Thanksgiving season, but have never accepted Christ as our personal Lord & Savior, — our words ring very hollow.

The questioner gives another answer to his own question in v. 17, and I find THAT answer to be VERY interesting and thought-provoking.  For there, he states, “I will offer to The Lord The SACRIFICE Of THANKSGIVING.”   That phrase – “The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” – or words like it are found at least 8 times in God’s Word.  The question is – what does it mean?

Intrinsic in the very meaning of the word, is the fact that a “Sacrifice” is something that personally COSTS us something.  Sacrifices are not something that happen accidentally.  Sacrifices are not something that happen casually.  It seems, then, that “The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” would mean much more than a quick, casual, “Thanks a lot, God; I appreciate it.”   What does such a casual, (possibly even flippant) phrase really COST us?

I challenge you this Thanksgiving season to think about. and ask yourself, “How can I offer to God a TRUE “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” this year?

I’d love to hear your answers and feed-back.