by President George Washington issued a proclamation designating Thursday, November 26 as a National Day of Thanks. Washington declared that the necessity for this day sprung from the Almighty’s care for Americans prior to the Revolutionary War, assisting our nation in achieving independence and helping to establish our constitutional government. A day of thanks was not new to Washington. During the Revolutionary War, he ordered special thanksgiving services for his troops after successful battles, as well as sanctioning the Continental Congress to proclaim days of thanks in recognition of military victories.
As with President Washington, thanking God in recognition of spiritual victories should be nothing new to Christians. Thanks should continually pour out of our hearts, every time our mouth is opened in prayer. Thanksgiving Day itself should be a day of great significance in Christian homes. Psalm 105 is a tremendous example of how we can thank and praise God. In 105:1, we thank Him when we “call upon his name” in prayer. In 105:2-3, we thank Him when we witness to others “of all his wondrous works.” In 105:4-5, we thank Him when we “remember his marvellous works that he hath done.”
Psalm 105 is a Psalm of thanksgiving in our prayers, in our witness and in our remembrance. The context of this Psalm is 1 Chronicles 16. As the Temple was built, and the Ark is brought in, trumpets are sounded and thanksgiving is given to God
“Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” (1 Chronicles 16:6-12)
