Preemptive Thanksgiving: Grateful in the Chaos

Wars and rumors of wars—

Deployments and rumors of deployments—

Constantly changing schedules—

With all the anxiety in the air all the uncertainty of schedules and futures, how is one supposed to celebrate Thanksgiving?

David helps us answer that question in Psalm 28. This man spent years of his life on the run from King Saul and other enemies trying to kill him. He begins this psalm by begging for the Lord’s help. But soon, his prayers turn to preemptive praise for the answers he knows God will make:

You are my strong shield,

and I trust you completely.

You have helped me,

and I will celebrate

and thank you in song.

Psalm 28:7 (CEV)

David thanks the Lord for what he has done in the past. He thanks God for who he is. And he thanks God for what he will do. He has full confidence that he will see God’s promises fulfilled in the future. David reminds himself, and us, not to be like the wicked who “don’t pay any attention to your wonderful deeds” (vs. 5). He refuses to be ungrateful so he will not suffer their punishment.

David still had to go through many hard times. Daniel still had to go into the lion’s den (Daniel 6), Peter into the prison (Acts 5). But their faith in God brought them through. The Lord honored their praise for things that were still coming. Their circumstances did not always immediately change—but they did.

As Christians, we know we will suffer in this life. We also know we have the ultimate victory in Christ. We will prevail, even if we must wait until the next life. We can thank God for that now.

No matter your situation, follow David’s lead in this Thanksgiving season. Thank the Lord for what he has done and for who he is—and pre-thank him for what he will do.

PRAY

Lord, there’s so much turbulence this Thanksgiving in the world and in our hearts. Thank you for being with us. You are in control. Thank you for giving us the victory. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question: Why can it be hard to be grateful? What can we thank God for right now?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Read these passages today.

Psalm 118:1

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18