“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15 KJV). The King James translators chose the word “redound” from the Latin redundare meaning “to surge like a wave”—an explosive wave of thanksgiving to the glory of God! The Greek carries the idea of overflowing like a cornucopia. The more thanksgiving, the more glory God receives.

To glorify God is the ultimate purpose of our jubilant thanksgiving. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31). This Thanksgiving, we will be doing plenty of eating and drinking. But will we consciously lift up our eating and drinking as God-glorifying acts of worship?

Meditate on Your Spiritual Gifts

There are many material blessings to be thankful for this year at Thanksgiving. Matthew 6:31-32 encourages us, “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Our Father in heaven is the provider of all and deserves thanks for all. But as those in Christ, we are especially grateful for his spiritual blessings in Christ.

Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). It is a fitting reminder of the innumerable blessings that flow to God’s children—blessings that the world does not understand. Some families take turns sharing blessings around the table. Others snatch a handful of beans or corn kernels from a dish and share a blessing for each one. Whatever you do to express thanks, considering giving special focus to your spiritual blessings this year.

Our spiritual blessings are many: justification, redemption, new birth, adoption, citizenship in an unshakeable kingdom, the indwelling Spirit, peace, wisdom, and much more. Most of all, we should remember the one through whom all these blessings flow. We should thank God for the gift of his Son. Colossians 3:17 says, “Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Speaking of the Son, Paul exults, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor 9:15).

Meditate on the Gift-Giver

Being conscious of the glory of God this Thanksgiving—and intentionally offering the kind of thanksgiving that redounds to that glory—means that there is nothing better to thank God for than who he is. God is honored when his character is celebrated. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Ps. 103:1).

​God is good, sovereign, our helper, an ever-present friend, on our side, mighty, merciful, and abounding in grace. “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 106:1). “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Ps. 95:2–3).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Jas. 1:17). The greatest of all these gifts is the Light, the Word of the Father, sent for us and for our salvation. The greatest gift is the gift-giver, and he has offered his fullness to us in the person of Jesus. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). God shared his glory with us, and it is truly wonderful.
As we remember his countless blessings, we will say with the Psalmist, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1).