“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭17‬

The sacrifice of thanksgiving (Leviticus 7) was to be offered with the sprinkling of the blood of the peace offering (v. 14). This shows that all of our thanksgiving is based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ. My spirit of thanksgiving is possible because my sins have already been forgiven and because my soul’s eternal destiny has been secured by the blood. I can say with Paul, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). Because of that gift—Jesus Christ—I can be thankful for everything else that comes my way. God’s gift of salvation makes it possible for me to endure and even be thankful for everything He allows into my life.

The flesh of the animal offered with the thanksgiving sacrifice was to be eaten (v. 15). Some sacrifices were to be wholly burned as offerings given entirely to God. But this sacrifice was to be eaten. It resulted in the priest, the people, and God sharing together in a meal of blessed fellowship. The sacrifice of thanksgiving draws God’s people closer to one another and closer to their God. The psalmist declares, “I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among much people” (Psalm 35:18). A thankful heart draws us into deeper communion with God and with His people.

The sacrifice had to be eaten on the same day it was offered. Nothing was to be left until the morning (v. 15). This teaches us that yesterday’s thankful heart will not suffice for today. Each day must have its own expressions of thanksgiving, or that day’s opportunity will be lost forever. We must be thankful while it is today. Yesterday is gone, and we have no promise of tomorrow. This is why the psalmist said, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Anchor For Today:
A thankful heart must be renewed daily.