4. 1 Chronicles 16: 8-12

5.   Gratitude is natural expression of thanks in response to blessing, protection, or love.  We are more or less grateful through our lives - why?  Thankful for creation? See Psalm 19: 1-4  “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.“ Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?

6.   Or Psalm 33: 6-9:  “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. “ God’s people thanked him when they got good news (our passage)… …and when they got bad news (e.g. Job 1:21). Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?

7.   Psalm 30: 11-12 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. “  Thank God for deliverance from death (Is. 38:18-20)  Thank God for forgiveness of sin (Ps. 32:5, 99:8, 103:3, Is. 12:1)  Thank God for answers to prayer (Ps. 28:6, 66:19)  Thank God for compassion to poor/afflicted (34:2) Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?

8.   Thank God for executing Justice (Deut. 32: 3b-4)  Thank God for guidance (Ps. 32:8, Is. 30: 20-21)  ONLY a few of many verses, O.T. filled with thanks!  Lev. 7: 12-13 ‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering, they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast.’ Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?

9.   Hebrews did “Shouts of joy” (Ps 42:4), “songs of praise” (Ps 145:7, 149:1), and music and dance (Ps 150)  David appointed priests to give thanks (1 Chron. 16:4).  Solomon continued dad’s plan (2 Chron. 5: 12-13).  Hezekiah restored the plan (2 Chron. 31: 2).  Nehemiah resurrected the plan (Neh. 11:17, 12:24, 27)  When they were obedient to God, they were thankful!  In NT thankfulness was for redemptive work of Christ!  Paul thanked God for the gift of grace, ability to preach the gospel, for love and faith in believers. Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?

10.   Paul said “give thanks in all circumstances”(1 Thes 5:18)  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Pr 3: 9-10).  If we don’t faithfully give to the Lord, we don’t really trust the Lord.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6: 21 NKJV)  Put your heart into the Kingdom of God by thanking Him and sharing generously. Back to O.T. Thanksgivings?