And be thankful
Colossians 3:15-17 - We all owe everything to God, and it is Him who we should be most thankful to on this annual holiday.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from Heaven On Wheels!
There are a lot of good messages in today’s verses from Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, most of them about being thankful and showing gratitude. We owe everything to God, and it is Him who we should be most thankful to on this annual holiday. While it’s celebrated on this day in America, most other countries and cultures also put aside a day to give thanks.
Paul begins these verses with a call to peace. This might be a cautionary comment for those who may be celebrating the day with relatives and friends who do not share your same religious, political, or social beliefs. Remember to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”; it’s always a good idea to set a ground rule to forbid discussion of sensitive topics when you’re with others who might wish to argue…
Next, he reminds us to “be thankful.” That is the focus of the day, and there is so much for most of us to be grateful for. No matter how you show your thanks, it should be done with God foremost in your mind. As new beings in Christ, we are to walk in the Word of God, in worship with other believers. Paul says that the “message of Christ” should “dwell among you richly” — it’s thought that this refers to the Shechinah (symbol of the Divine presence) which dwelt in the tabernacle and first temple of the people of Israel.
One can also give thanks with “psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit”, meaning creative and spontaneous worship of God. Whether you’re celebrating at home or attending a worship service on the holiday, it’s always appropriate to give praise to our Creator with music.
Last of all, Paul reminds us to give our thanks to God “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Crosswalk.com:
Dear Lord, on this Thanksgiving Day, we pause to reflect on the blessings we often take for granted. Thank you for life, health, and strength. Thank you for the love, laughter, and beauty around us. May we cherish these gifts and use them to glorify Your name. Help us to walk in Your wisdom and grace every day. Amen.