Happy Thanksgiving! What Can I Bring?

As we think of potential gatherings like Thanksgiving Day, one of the first questions is often, “What can I bring?” Now think of that question in regard to the greatest invitation ever given for those who have found salvation in Christ alone.

“Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace

to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

So what do we bring considering the greatness of the invitation to the throne of the King Himself? We might hand our Thanksgiving host flowers, a bottle of wine, or a hot dish. Our King tells us what we should bring Him in Psalm 100:4,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

He, of course, wants us to bring our needs, our desires, our hurts, and our all. He is our King and our Shepherd who cares for us like no one else can. But first things first. As we come to Him continually with thanksgiving and praise, we come with right hearts to the One who so greatly deserves it.

The holidays can be joyful and they can be extremely hard. But our King remains the same. We can live with thanks to Him even in times of grief and trouble, because He is in control working all things for His glory and our Kingdom advantage. So through laughter and anguish we can,

“Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18