The Scent of Thankfulness

In this season of Thanksgiving, many of us have gathered with family and friends to enjoy good company and good food. But underlying all of this is a sense that we are to be thankful and give thanks.

The term Thanksgiving explicitly implies giving thanks. From that deduction there are some questions that naturally arise. To whom or what is our thankfulness directed? How do we give thanks? What is the effect of thankfulness?

Our thankfulness (or lack thereof) is characterized by

1) the object or recipient of our thankfulness, 

2) the posture of our thankfulness, and 

3) the response of our thankfulness.

4) the effect of our thankfulness 

The Recipient of Our Thankfulness

First, who is the object or the recipient of our thankfulness?   

We too easily direct our gratitude to some impersonal and benevolent deity that likes doing good things for us, or to a god of our making that suits our comfort, or to chance or luck with an underlying sense we deserve any good thing we get. 

But thankfulness requires that there be an acknowledgement of a deserving giver. Our thanksgiving is to be directed to the One worthy to receive our thankfulness and praise. Scripture is clear that God being the giver of life and all good things is to receive our gratitude, praise and worship.

Ps 96 1-6 (ESV) Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.   

The object in which we direct our gratitude reflects in what or whom we place our affection, dependence and trust. 

The Posture of Our Thankfulness

Second, from what posture do I give thanks?

By posture I mean our attitude and behavior that is conveyed. 

Thanksgiving that is earnest comes from a place of humility. Scripture says we are to approach God with a broken and contrite heart. In other words we come to God acknowledging our need for Him.

Ps 51:15-17 (ESV) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.   

The posture in which I approach God reflects a right understanding of myself and of God.

The Response of Our Thankfulness

Third, how do we respond with thanksgiving to God?  

We are to give thanks continually and in all circumstances. That is to say, thankfulness is not dependent on circumstances. No matter how good or bad the situation is, we are to be thankful. This is not easy as we easily forget the Giver in the most pleasant and unpleasant of times. But no matter the situation we thank God for His providence, protection and provision. 

He 13:15-16 (ESV) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV). Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

To live a life of continual praise and prayer does not come naturally. We need God’s help.

Ps 141:1-3 (ESV) O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! 2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!  

The Effect of Our Thankfulness

Fourthly, what is the effect of our thankfulness?

The apostle Paul appeals to us that we are to worship as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice to God. Our sacrifice to God manifests in many ways but certainly includes a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

But this appeal and our response rests on who God is and our knowledge of Him. Just prior to these verses Paul comes to a crescendo of praise following 11 chapters expounding on all that God has done.  

Romans 11:33–36 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

It is that knowledge of God that drives us to living as a spiritual sacrifice of praise and worship.

In 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, Paul expresses the hardships he faces then immediately turns to God with thanksgiving as reflects on the power and work of Jesus Christ. 

He then responds with this declaration.

2 Co. 2:14-16 (ESV) But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 

No matter the circumstances we repeat the words of Paul, “But thanks be to God…”

Ultimately, a life marked by a thankful heart rooted in the knowledge of God that exudes the aroma and fragrance of Christ.

Aromas and fragrances have a powerful effect on our emotions and memories. The smells of the holiday season evoke vivid images and feelings tied to people and places.  

In that sense, we are to spread the sweet fragrance of Christ to those in our presence.

So, let us give thanks to the God of all creation that the fragrance of Jesus Christ spread to the world around us.

Psalms of Thanksgiving and Praise 

Ps. 97 1-12

Ps. 92 1-9

Ps. 145

Ps. 146 1-10