Isn't it a beautiful and humbling experience to witness the fruits of our labor—whether it's harvesting from a garden, completing a task, or seeing the results of faith-filled perseverance? There is a deep, soul-satisfying joy in recognizing that God, in His abundant grace, continues to provide for our needs—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Everything we have, from the food on our tables to the strength in our hearts, is a gift from Him.
Over four centuries ago, early settlers came to a new land with courage, hope, and deep trust in God. Farming was more than survival—it was an act of faith. Imagine leaving everything familiar behind, crossing an ocean to an unknown land, with only seeds, limited supplies, and a reliance on God's provision. Their journey was daunting but filled with faith that God would provide.
In 1621, after a season of hardship and harvest, the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts—a colony founded by Separatists seeking religious freedom—gathered with the Wampanoag people in a feast of thanksgiving. It was more than a meal; it was a sacred moment of gratitude. They gave thanks for the harvest, for new relationships, for survival, and for God’s faithful presence through every trial.
This gathering planted the seed of what we now call Thanksgiving—a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks to God for His goodness. While we may not recount every detail of their journey, we must ask: why Thanksgiving? What does it truly mean, and why does it still matter today? The answer lies not just in history, but in the truth that God is faithful in every season and always worthy of our thanks.
In 1623, Governor William Bradford issued a proclamation that read:
‘To all ye Pilgrims, Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, squashes and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the raids of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Plymouth Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.’
This proclamation was more than a call to assemble—it was a declaration of deep gratitude and acknowledgment of God's hand in every blessing. The settlers knew their survival and success were not by their strength alone, but by God’s grace.
The Thanksgiving of 1621 would not have happened without God’s providence, nor without the faith of a people committed to trusting Him. True thanksgiving is not rooted merely in abundance, but in recognizing God’s provision, mercy, and grace—even amid hardship. May their example inspire us to offer our own heartfelt thanks to the same faithful God who sustains us today.
In Colossians 1:1-6, the apostle Paul gives thanks for the faith, love, and hope of the believers. He reminds us that the Gospel continues to bear fruit in the world, just as it did among the Pilgrims. We, too, are heirs of this Gospel, and our confident hope in Christ enables us to live lives of gratitude and fruitfulness.
To fully appreciate Thanksgiving, we must also remember the story of Squanto, a Patuxet man who played a vital role in the Pilgrims' survival. In 1614, he was kidnapped by English explorers and sold into slavery in Spain. Catholic friars helped him gain his freedom, and he eventually traveled to England, where he learned English and lived with a merchant named John Slaney.
In 1619, Squanto returned home to find his village had been wiped out by disease. Despite his personal loss, he chose to help the newly arrived Pilgrims in 1621. He served as a translator and taught them how to plant crops, fish, and live off the land. His knowledge and compassion were crucial to their survival.
Squanto's journey—marked by suffering, resilience, and faith—reminds us that Thanksgiving is not only about abundance, but also about the sacrifices and unexpected paths that lead to peace and provision. Through his suffering, the compassion of others, and divine providence, Squanto became a bridge between two peoples. His story is a testament to God’s ability to bring good even out of hardship.
So why Thanksgiving? Because we, too, have much to be thankful for. We live in a nation founded on liberty, enjoy blessings many before us never imagined, and are surrounded by love and community. But more than that, Scripture calls us to give thanks for the eternal gifts God has given us in Christ.
James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. While we often focus on material blessings, the deeper reasons for thanksgiving are found in our spiritual inheritance. Psalm 103:1–5 speaks of eternal blessings that never fade: forgiveness, redemption, grace, mercy, and renewal.
I want to give you five things to reflect on about why Thanksgivng!
First, we give thanks for forgiveness. Psalm 103:3 says, 'Who forgives all your iniquities.' Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned, and Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. But through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Though guilty, we are set free by His blood—a gift worthy of our deepest gratitude.
Second, we give thanks for redemption. Psalm 103:4 says, 'Who redeems your life from destruction.' Sin leads to destruction, but God, rich in mercy, sent His Son to redeem us. 1 Peter 1:18–19 tells us we were redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. He bought us back and made us His children.
Third, we give thanks for grace and mercy. Psalm 103:4 continues, 'Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.' Grace is receiving what we do not deserve—salvation, hope, and new life. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve—judgment and separation from God. Ephesians 2:8 says, 'For by grace you have been saved,' and Ephesians 2:4–5 reminds us that God, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in sin.
Fourth, we give thanks for renewal. Psalm 103:5 says, 'Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.' Though our bodies age, God renews our spirits daily. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, 'Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.' This renewal gives us strength and hope as we walk with Christ.
This Thanksgiving, let us not lose sight of its true meaning. Let us gather not only around a table of food, but around the truth of God's Word. Let us give thanks not only for what we have, but for who we are in Christ—forgiven, redeemed, loved, and renewed. These are the eternal blessings that make every day a reason to give thanks.