Gratitude is a powerful, transformative expression of faith in the life of a believer. It is an act of worship and a recognition of God’s abundant provision, grace, and goodness. The Bible teaches the importance of gratitude as a response to God’s blessings. Consider Psalm 107:1: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” This verse encapsulates the biblical attitude of thanksgiving—a recognition of God’s goodness and eternal mercy. Many Pentecostals strengthen their understanding of these passages through the Apostolic Study Bible as they reflect on God’s goodness and mercy.
Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” In this instance, gratitude is not only an emotional response but also a command that reflects the believer’s acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty over his or her life. This attitude of continual thanksgiving is often nurtured through resources like our Devotionals Collection, which guides Apostolics through their daily moments of reflection and gratitude.
Giving thanks is not limited to words alone but should include every aspect of life, including meals. In biblical times, meals were not merely occasions for physical sustenance but opportunities for communal thanksgiving and worship. For the Israelites, sharing meals was an act of spiritual remembrance and an expression of trust in God’s provision. Every meal had the potential to become a holy act of giving thanks to God for His goodness, and this emphasis on gratitude within the home aligns closely with the principles found in the Healthy Homes materials from PentecostalPublishing.com.
The Passover Meal
In Exodus 12:14, God commanded the Israelites, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.” The Passover meal was designed to commemorate God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It became a central act of thanksgiving, remembering God’s intervention and provision in their time of need.
The Feast of Firstfruits (or the Feast of Weeks)
Leviticus 23:9–10 records the instructions given to the Israelites to celebrate harvest: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest.” This was an act of thanksgiving to God for His provision, acknowledging that all the bounty of the land came from Him.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
In John 6:11, before distributing the loaves and fish, Jesus gave thanks to God. “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” Even in the context of miraculous provision, Jesus demonstrated the importance of giving thanks to God for what He had provided.
The Last Supper
Luke 22:19 serves as a powerful example of thanksgiving in a meal setting. Partaking in the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus “took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Jesus gave thanks for the meal as He exampled a way for His followers to participate in the power of the Crucifixion through the symbolic act of breaking bread.
Apostolic readers who desire a deeper study of these moments of thanksgiving in Scripture, including the Passover, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feeding of the Five Thousand, and the Last Supper, can find helpful insight through our Bible Commentary and Reference resources.
In a world where many take food for granted, it is essential for Christians to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Every meal is an opportunity for believers to pause and thank God for His provision, whether sitting down to a feast or a simple meal. As we eat, we should remember the many ways God has provided for us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The act of “giving thanks” reflects the larger principles of spiritual growth taught in many of our Christian Living Books, which call on each of us to acknowledge God’s hand in every part of life.
Gratitude is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, and by cultivating gratitude in our daily meals, we honor God and acknowledge His ongoing provision in our lives. Let us not forget that with every bite we can give thanks to the Lord, just as the psalmist did when he wrote, “Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16). So as we eat, may we remember the One who provides, and let us continually give thanks for His goodness and mercy.
As you enter this season of gratitude, strengthen your daily walk with resources that lift your heart toward thankfulness. Visit PentecostalPublishing.com for Apostolic study tools and books that encourage a life rooted in the Word and focused on the greatness of God.