Give Thanks To God_A Devotion From Pastor Chris Conkling

“The eyes of all look to you [O Lord], and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

-Psalm 145:15-16

The American celebration of Thanksgiving has a storied history. Some trace its roots to the Fall of 1621 when Pilgrims from England gave thanks for being delivered from a harsh winter. We know they shared the celebration with the Wampanoag Native Americans, who had already lived in that region and taught the Pilgrims farming methods to yield a better harvest. Others look further back to May 27th, 1578, the earliest recorded Thanksgiving church service held by Europeans in North America, specifically in Newfoundland, Canada.1 Nevertheless, numerous Thanksgiving celebrations among the English colonies in America occurred throughout the early 1600s to mid-1800s, each giving thanks for safe arrival from England, a good harvest, deliverance from famine and/or sickness, or even the ability to create a constitution following the American victory over the British in 1783 (this one-time celebration observed on November 26th, 1789).2 

Thanksgiving as we know it though would not be observed as an annual, national holiday until October 3rd, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring such. This proclamation followed the pivotal (but costly) U.S. victory of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.3 

Given the circumstances around these historic Thanksgiving celebrations, a response of gratitude makes sense. Each group endured varying sorts of adversity, sometimes even facing death. But notice where they directed their gratitude: Each group gave thanks to God. They knew God was present throughout these tribulations. They knew His hand provided all they needed, delivering many from danger. Indeed, God’s provision was apparent.

But God doesn’t just provide for our needs, God goes beyond this: He satisfies our desires. It’s one thing for God to provide a need but quite another for Him to satisfy a desire. For when something satisfies, we say “it is enough,” enough to no longer want more; we are content.

Though we find gratitude towards God in these historical Thanksgiving celebrations, it’s hard to imagine contentment. Given the tragedies and tribulations that preceded, it seems much was left to be desired. Perhaps some of us are preparing a Thanksgiving table in the wake of tragedy, the loss of someone or something. And while we can thank God for providing what we currently have, we wish He’d also give back what we lost. Only then will it be enough.

For others, the opposite is true: Maybe our Thanksgiving prep follows a season of joy. Things are going well and there’s very little we feel we lack. As such, contentment seems easy.

But whether our Thanksgiving this year follows trials or joy, the words of David in Psalm 145 still ring true: “you [Lord] satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Did you catch that? The Lord satisfies our desires. The Lord gives us enough. The Lord brings true contentment…even now. Satisfaction, then, doesn’t disappear with loss nor is it determined by the temporal things we gain. Satisfaction in the Lord believes that despite what He gives or takes away, it is enough. And this satisfaction carries a peace which surpasses all understanding, a peace rooted in the unchanging promise of salvation for all who trust in Jesus’ forgiveness through His death and resurrection.

Indeed, there is much to thank God for this Thanksgiving. For those of us though who may be mourning a loss at our table, I invite you to lean into the Lord, seeking His peace in the unchanging hope of Jesus. And for those of us who are presently thriving, lean also into the Lord, seeking His peace in the unchanging hope of Jesus. For in this hope and in all He presently gives, we have much reason to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving from Vine & Branches Lutheran Church & Childcare in Aldie, VA!

Let’s pray: Father, You alone satisfy our desires. Thank You for daily providing all we need to support our bodies and lives in every season. As we prepare our tables for Thanksgiving, prepare our hearts for contentment in all You give now but especially in the unchanging promise we receive in Christ Jesus. In His name, amen.