Thursday, November 25, 2004 Nativity Fast
Great Martyr Katherine the All-Wise
For Thanksgiving: 1 Chronicles 16:7-34 Epistle: Galatians 3:23-4:4
Gospel: St. Mark 5:24-34
1 Chronicles 16:7-34, especially vs. 34: "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is
good; for His steadfast love endures for ever!" The admonition to give thanks to the Lord is
found all through Holy Scripture and the writings of the Fathers. The Apostle Paul lifted
thanksgiving up as the single appropriate constant for life: "In everything give thanks" (1 Thess.
5:18). Today's reading shows that King David directed Asaph to lead the entire People of God in
songs of thanksgiving, and he had reason to do so. For from the time he was thirty years old, as
he ruled over his own tribe of Judah for seven and a half years, he endured a painful civil war
with loyalists of the former king, Saul. Finally, when that war ended, all twelve of the tribes of
Israel asked him to rule over them. Soon afterwards, David moved to a new capital at Jerusalem
and brought the ark of the Lord into the city. On that day, as Scripture notes, "David perceived
that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the
sake of His people Israel" (2 Sam. 5:12).
This song of thanksgiving from that day not only exhorts us to "give thanks to the Lord" (1
Chron. 16:8) and provides gracious words for our lips, but being a psalm of high gratitude reveals
the basic elements that constitute a complete thanksgiving: 1) an appeal to join in giving thanks
(vss. 7-12), 2) a remembrance of God's wonderful works (vss. 13-22), 3) an exaltation in the
good and gracious God Who is glorious above all things (vss. 23-28), and 4) a self-offering to
God in holy worship (vss. 29-34). "O give thanks to the Lord, call on His Name" (vs. 8)!
The psalm of Thanksgiving begins with an invocation, an appeal to all who will listen to join in
giving thanks to God. It is no routine command, but rather a joyous invitation from one filled
with thanksgiving who offers a half-dozen reasons for expressing gratitude: he speaks of God's
"deeds," of being grateful that the Lord acts on our behalf (vs. 8). The singer knows how
praiseworthy God is (vs. 9). To evoke the Name of God is to touch Divine power (vs. 9). The
invocation assures those who are seeking the Lord that they may rejoice, for God reveals Himself
(vs. 10). Having known the Lord himself, the Psalmist encourages us to seek Him and to do so
"continually" (vs. 11). Does anyone feel weak? Seek the source of true strength (vs. 11)!
Thanksgiving in Scripture is inseparably yoked with remembrance. In the Septuagint (LXX)
version, the Greek word, "remember" (vs. 12) is based on the same root as the word which the
Lord used at the Mystical Supper on the night in which He was betrayed - when He said, "Do
This in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor 11:24,25). There is so much that God has done and is doing
and promises to do! He not only utters judgments, but visibly accomplishes them on the earth
(vss. 12,14). Having chosen us, He continues to shower us with inexpressible gifts (vss. 13,15).
While the world finds us insignificant, remember that God does not (vss. 16-22). Should anyone
ask "Who does all these things?", let the psalm tell us of the incomparable God, "the Lord [of] all
the earth!" (vs. 23). He is the Savior of all nations and peoples (vss. 23,24). No creation of man,
no idol or "god" can be measured against Him Who is the Creator of all (vss. 25,26). Honor,
majesty, strength, joy and glory are "due His Name" (vss. 27,28).
In the most natural way imaginable, the singer concludes this thanksgiving with an appeal to
offer ourselves to God, to worship Him in awe and trembling (vss. 29,30). He appeals to all who
are on earth, to the heavens, to every creature on land and sea and air (vss. 30-33). Indeed, "give
thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures for ever!" (vs. 34).
Having partaken of the divine, holy, immaculate, immortal, heavenly, life-giving and dread
Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks unto the Lord!