The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving. Leviticus 22:29-30. Offer thanksgiving: there are many reasons to draw from deep within us a sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving, and honor to give to Him. He, who at infinite cost to Himself paid the price of sin, has now opened heaven’s door to us, and we are invited to go in. There, we can offer thanksgiving for God’s grace—unmerited, unlimited, full, and free—that has been offered and given unreservedly to me. Such grace as that led Christ, our sacrifice, to the cross—saving us, keeping us, and bringing us into God’s family—and as sons forever, we will be.
Offer thanksgiving: it becomes a sacrifice when I pay a cost that may not seem natural because of an obligation. When the cup of blessing is full, and I come to offer with hands outspread, I taste the fuller fullness of my risen Head after offering to Him. I give thanks today because every day is about giving, receiving, and enjoying communion. Today, not tomorrow, is when I partake in all I give to Him. Today, in fellowship with my Lord, Savior, and King, I greet Him at the altar of His choosing, with joy and gladness.
Offer thanksgiving generously from the heart, holding nothing back. Present the sacrifice of thanksgiving with humility. Look back with joy at each act He has performed to bring me to this place—it's not just wishful thinking but a fact. I belong to the Lord; I give Him all the thanks and glory as a sacrifice. When I offer thanksgiving, I’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good in every way. I haven’t followed Him daily as I should, nor done all I know I could, but I have learned to love Him and learn from Him, feeding on His Word. Now, offering the sacrifices of thanksgiving is the only way I can respond as I should.
Offer thanksgiving: each day is a new opportunity to receive and enjoy blessings. Every day is unique, as all His benefits and acts of grace pour out abundantly on someone undeserving. Each day, a sacrifice of thanksgiving is worthy to be given to Him voluntarily, because the warmth in my soul and spirit moves me to show gratitude and honor to my Lord from my heart and soul. I offer this sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for being my gracious Father and for not being impatient with all my shortcomings. I aspire to be like my Father in every way possible, yet my humanity and the pull of gravity from this sinful world limit me.