November -- a month of pumpkin carving, scarf tying, leaves falling, and fires crackling -- a month building up to an entire day set aside to feast and give thanks.
Did you know the phrase "give thanks" is used over 70 times throughout Scripture? Several of those times it is worded like this: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" (See 1 Chronicles 16, Psalm 106, Psalm 118, and Psalm 136 for starters.)
The act of giving thanks is unquestionably connected to the act of recognizing His goodness and His steadfast love.
What if this act of recognition became a daily habit rather than an annual tradition? What if we learned what Paul meant when he wrote, "give thanks in all circumstances"? Notice he doesn't write, "give thanks for all circumstances," but rather, "give thanks in all circumstances." Why? Because in the midst of every circumstance -- in the midst of the trial you're facing or the joy you're experiencing -- the Lord is good, and His steadfast love endures forever. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), so we give thanks to Him -- not because of the gift, but because of the Giver.
As you gather with family and friends later this month, and as you live your normal day-to-day life, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever!
