Thanksgiving 2025
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.4 Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Introduction
This morning, I want to look at the notion of thanksgiving when giving thanks is the last thing you feel like doing.
Maybe you are facing real hardships and real concerns that are overwhelming you?
Maybe there are situations in your life, family, or at work that weigh so heavily on your heart that it makes thankfulness hard to muster?
Maybe this year you just don’t feel all Thanksgiveny.
If so, then this sermon is for you.
This morning, I want to look at thanksgiving when giving thanks is the last thing you feel like doing.
Now to do so I want us to begin with the basis of Thanksgiving. Here we will ask: Why should I give thanks?
Next, we want to ask what does biblical thanksgiving look like when life really stinks.
Finally, we will turn to look the real blessings that God intend giving thanks to provide to you amid hardship.
I. Why Should I Give Thanks (what is the true basis of thanksgiving)
A] What the basis is not- biblical thanksgiving is not based on feeling happy nor does it ignore the situations you face (it is not blind optimism). Scripture does not tell you that everything you encounter will be good or that you will never face real hardships. However, Scripture does call you to give thanks amid all things.
Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks with regards to all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In other words, the basis of biblical thanks is not feelings or circumstances.
B] Instead, biblical thanksgiving is based on God. That is, thanksgiving is grounded on the unvarying fact that God is always with you, God is for you, and God is Lord over every circumstance you face.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Importance: at once, biblical thanksgiving takes your eyes off of self and world and places them on God, the true source of your security/outcome.
II. So what does giving thanks look like when life stinks
A] First, Scripture never calls us to lie, to pretend that things aren’t bad, or to ignore the bad and act like it doesn’t matter.
Psalm 13:1 How long, O LORD? Wilt Thou forget me forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
Instead, biblical thanksgiving (weather life is good or bad) always points us to what is most true about the situation you face: these blessings are from God. These hard times are in God’s hands (also Ecc 7:14)
1 Chronicles 29:14 For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee.
Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it will be, and just as I have planned so it will stand,
B] In turn, Biblical Thanksgiving identifies God’s Sustaining Blessings– that is because you know God is with you, biblical thanks draws your attention to the way that God is upholding and protecting you (especially in the other areas of your life so you can attend to the dilemma). Importance: God’s sustaining blessings are indicators that you are not in a free fall. Rather, God has the situation in His hands (Luke 12:6-7; Matt 10:29-30).
Deuteronomy 29:5 “I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot.
Bottom line: Biblical thanks turns to God in the midst of any situation and thanks God for His unwavering presence, commitment, and Lordship amid all we face.
III. The Gospel of Thanksgiving- Next, notice the blessings that God intends Biblical Thanksgiving to provide for you amid hardship
A] First, giving biblical thanks fundamentally reorients you to the situations you face- How? Thanksgiving reminds you that God is at work in the very details of your life and that His will and His purpose are what determine the outcome. As such, giving thanks correctly identify the governing reality of any circumstance you encounter.
Psalm 33:10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.11 But the counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
B] Second, biblical thanks fundamentally orients your response to any situation you face. That is, because God is with me, biblical thanks reminds me that my response to any situation I face is always to be trust and faithfulness (in other words, when you don’t know what to do, make sure the things you do are the right sort of things). Importance: first, trust and faithfulness ensure that I do not compound the issue with my own misconduct. Second, trust and faithfulness are always the way through and out.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight
Simply put, trust and faithfulness are responding to life’s realities in light of what God says about a situation versus what the world says.
C] Third biblical thanks is vigilant: that is, biblical thanks reminds you to speak right about the situation (whether it is how you speak to yourself about it, or to others, or even in prayer). We are to speak faithfully about God amid whatever we face (not sugar coating the dilemma nor falsifying it with the world’s despair).
Job 42:7 The LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. FN#1
Bottom line: true thanksgiving is not based on feeling or circumstance. Rather, Biblical thanksgiving is based on God:
Footnotes
1] There is one final point about biblical thanksgiving that we should add: Biblical Thanksgiving always serves as prognostication– in other words, biblical thanksgiving is never merely retrospective. That is, thanksgiving is never merely concerned about what God has done. Rather, God always intends your thanksgiving today to inform your tomorrows. How? Giving thanks reminds you that the God who was faithful then will be faithful now and in the future. As such, giving thanks today provides confidence and courage for tomorrow.
Psalm 111:1 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, 4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.