“For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:20-21

Americans are much like the first-century Athenians, who, among their objects of worship, even had an altar “To the Unknown God” (cf. Acts 17:23). We say, “In God We Trust,” and that we are “one nation under God.” We even have a national holiday set aside to give thanks to God. However, we do not specify who that God is; rather, we leave it open and generic to appease people of many faiths.

At Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude but often fail to acknowledge whom we thank. Giving thanks is important, but only when we thank the one responsible for all our cherished blessings. Giving thanks and praise to the wrong party insults the true Giver of life and our many blessings (cf. Isa. 42:8).

That’s why the Apostle Paul proclaimed to the Athenians the God who created the heavens and the earth, the source of life and breath and all things (Acts 17:22-31). It’s why he told the believers in Rome that God’s wisdom and power are clearly revealed by all He has created and made so that no one has an excuse not to honor Him and be thankful to Him for life and all things.

In fact, as Paul says in his letter to the Romans, not glorifying the true God and being thankful to Him for all He has done and provided for us is a reason people are hardened in their unbelief and remain under the wrath and judgment of the almighty God.

In Psalm 96:7-9, God’s Word admonishes us: “Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” The Bible calls upon all people to give to the LORD the thanks and praise due unto His name (LORD in all uppercase letters indicates the Hebrew name for the true God, the Great I AM of Exodus 3:14, Yahweh or Jehovah, who is to be thanked and praised).

And why thank and praise the one true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? He is the God who created us and all things and who sustains us throughout our lives! He sent the only-begotten Son into this world as a man to redeem us from sin and death by dying in our stead on the cross and then rising again on the third day! He works through His Word to create and nurture faith in our hearts, whereby we partake of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice and receive the joys of eternal life in heaven! Indeed, He is the source of every good gift!

David wrote in Psalm 103:1-5,22: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. … Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

This Thanksgiving and every day, we have reason to be thankful, but not just generically thankful. We have reason to thank the God of the Bible, the God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, the God who gave us life in our mothers’ wombs, the God who loved us despite our sinfulness and sent His Son to redeem us, the God who continues to call us to trust in Him that He might grant us forgiveness for our sins and a place in His eternal kingdom.

We have every reason to bless and praise the LORD God and give Him the honor due to His name. Not thanking the God who created and redeemed us can only further darken our hearts to the truth.

“We praise You, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; in grateful devotion our tribute we bring; we lay it before You; we kneel and adore You; we bless your holy name: glad praises we sing.” Amen. — Tr. Julia C. Cory, 1902

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]