Many years ago I represented a man for a heinous crime that most defendants receive life imprisonment for. I sought a verdict of acquittal however the jury hearing the case found him guilty of a lesser offense.  The man's family was very relieved because the jury also sentenced him to probation.  He would not have to serve time in jail if he successfully completed the probationary period.  The man however was very upset that he had to do any service at all.  He stormed out of the courtroom in a rage.  His father suggested to him that he should come back into the courtroom and thank me for keeping him out of prison on a case that could have sent him up for life.  He reluctantly came back and gave a half-hearted thanks.  However it was clear that it was not of his own free will.  It was only because his father told him to do it.  As a result, I told him it was not necessary to say anything.  I had really worked hard for him, and I did not want a "coerced thanks." 

 

In the passage above, we find that God does not want half-hearted thanksgiving on our part either.  The children of Israel were located at the base of Mt. Sinai.  God had delivered them out of Egyptian bondage.  He had parted the Red Sea so that they could cross over.  He had fed them Mana from Heaven.  He guided them with a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night.  Yet they were still grumbling.  As Moses receives the LAW to give them, God makes it clear regarding how sacrifices are to be made to Him.  Among His admonitions, He wants their THANKSGIVING TO BE OFFERED OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, the admonition from God is still applicable.  God wants us to be "real" in our appreciation of Him.  He does not beg us to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He gave because He loves us.  He does not beg us to come to Church.  He does not beg us to give our tithes in Church.  He does not beg us to open our mouths and praise Him for His goodness.  He wants all of that, but from our own free will. 

 

Many people point to their problems and withhold true thanks as a result.  They are like the man who was angry because he had to serve probation, while escaping prison.  God never promised us a "problem free" life.  But His goodness toward us far exceeds the problems we have.  And if we understand that fact, we will gladly, and freely, honor God with our Thanksgiving on this special day.