They were aware of our need for God if they were to be a healthy nation. In 1789 George Washington gave the first Thanksgiving Proclamation:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, and to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection, aid and favors. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.”

God has truly blessed America and made her a bountiful nation. To be bountiful is to be – “generous; giving freely, plentiful, and abundant.” One of the reasons God has blessed the USA is because we have been a giving nation. “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

To stay on the road to bountiful we must continue to have an attitude of gratitude to God for His abundant blessings upon us. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 107:1). How can Thanksgiving as a daily lifestyle keep us on the road to being bountiful?

First - Thanksgiving recognizes God as our source of blessing. The Word of God tells us what happens to those who are not thankful to God. “Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21-32).

To be bountiful recognize God as your source and Lord. “Serve the Lord with gladness. Know ye that the Lord He is God; it is He that hath made us and not we are self; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; be thankful unto Him” (Psalm 100).

Second - Thanksgiving gives honor and worship to God (Psalm 69:30). It is the gateway into His presence (Psalm 100:4).

Third - Thankful living and giving brings gladness to your soul. Being ungrateful shrivels and shrinks the soul. (See Psalm 147:7.) Thanksgiving can turn a desert into a garden (Isaiah 51:3).

Fourth - Thanksgiving is a sacrifice of worship that pleases God (Psalm 107:22; 116:17). It affirms your trust in God’s care and purpose in your life. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Fifth – Faith and power in prayer are released through thanksgiving. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, 7).

Sixth – Thanksgiving to God will keep you alert and guard against selfishness, self-centeredness, and spiritual slumber. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2 NASB). (See I Thessalonians 1:2, 3.)

Seventh – Thanksgiving will help you abound in all areas of your life. “Abounding there in with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7 KJV).

Eighth – Thanksgiving will help you recognize and receive God’s greatest gift with grace in your heart. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Corinthians 9:14, 15). God’s most precious gift is His Son Jesus Christ, whom He gave up as a sacrifice to die on the cross for our sins. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This thanksgiving, turn your face towards God. Do more than thank Him for good things in your life. Give your heart to Him and thanksgiving will be a daily bountiful event in your life.

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for the wonderful gifts you have poured out on our nation. In the name of Jesus, who died for my sins, forgive me and forgive our nation for enjoying your gifts while trying to live without you. I repent of how I have been living and gratefully give my heart to you today. Help others in our nation turn to you with thanksgiving. Amen.