Thanksgiving
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” Genesis 35:1-3
A godly man who was recovering from a life-threatening illness entered church. His Christian friends expressed surprise to see him there, knowing how gravely ill he had been. He answered, “Where else should I be today but here in God’s house to give thanks to Him for preserving my life?”
Jacob expressed similar thoughts when he set out for Bethel to build an altar to God who had answered his prayers back when he had stopped for the night in that same place while fleeing for his life. It was fitting that he should return to the place of those prayers and there give glory to God by constructing an altar as a public memorial of his gratitude.
Likewise when God answers our prayers—especially when He has brought us through severe illness or other grave dangers—it is fitting for us to give God thanks. And let us follow the example of Jacob and give thanks, not just in our private prayers of thanks but with words and actions of praise.
Gracious and merciful God, we offer our thanks and praise for Your grace in hearing and answering those who pray to You in the name of Jesus Christ, who has brought us into fellowship with You by His passion and death. Amen.