"Tôdâ - True Thanks Giving!"
In 1815 President James Madison declared that Thanksgiving be celebrated twice. He did this as an attempt to boost American’s happiness and sense of giving thanks. I believe that James Madison had the right idea. However, some might argue that this is easier said than done. And I will admit, it is hard sometimes to give thanks.
I came across an article in the USA Today sometime back that discussed all the anxieties in our country: a weak economy, unemployment, disease, threat of terrorism, war, and high gas prices, to name a few. Adding to the stress level is the every day concerns of raising children and keeping them safe, schools, marriages and personal finances. With all of these anxieties and struggles it is difficult to give thanks sometimes. To the Hebrews though, "thanksgiving" meant a lot more than just being thankful. And certainly, it involved more than just eating. To the Hebrews, thanksgiving was a way of life, and I think we could learn a lesson or two from their understanding of "thanksgiving."
One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 100, it is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. In fact, it is titled; Tôdâ, which is a Hebrew word derived from the verb yādâ. Now, I know what you’re thinking; "Yada, yada, yada, Chris, not another Hebrew lesson!" But there is a profound lesson to be learned from this Hebrew word. In its simplest form, yādâ means "to throw" or "to cast" and common forms of this verb mean to "acknowledge," "confess" or "praise." Thus, tôdâ is an "acknowledgment" or "confession" of one’s own shortcomings – not ignoring them. Tôdâ is also an "acknowledgment" or "confession" of God’s goodness, as in the case of Psalm 100. Another meaning of tôdâ is "thanksgiving offering," which was a sacrifice made to express thanks to God. Psalm 100 would have been a typical psalm used when presenting such an offering, when praising God’s righteousness in contrasts to one’s sin, and when confessing God’s greatness through singing. Certainly, this Psalm should be a part of our daily living.
The Psalmist begins by proclaiming; "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing." The Hebrew verb for "make a joyful noise" is a command for public praise. Thus, reminding us that thanksgiving isn’t just felt but also expressed and lived out. Notice too, that this command isn’t just addressed to Israel but to all the earth. The Israelites were to be a people who would attract the nations to worship God. And so, through our thanksgiving we must attract others to God.
I love how the Psalmist in verse 3 affirms his faith in God, by saying; "Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us...; we are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture." These words reflect the great confession of faith known as the Shema, which affirmed the Hebrew’s faith in One God - monotheism!
And finally, the Psalmist sums us this Psalm of Thanksgiving - Tôdâ, with the words that Johnny Appleseed captured in his song; "Oh, the Lord’s Been Good to Me." The Psalmist writes; "For the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever, and God’s truth to all generations." Indeed the Lord is good to you and me! And notice how the Psalmist’s affirmation of the goodness of God in this final verse is supported by an appeal for God’s mercy and truth. The Hebrew word for "truth" comes from the root word meaning "to be established" or "to be confirmed." From this same root also comes the word amen, meaning "surely" or "truly." God’s goodness is based on God’s love and faithfulness. Amen!
As we enter these months of thanksgiving; first, beginning with Thanksgiving itself, and then Advent and Christmas, let’s be mindful of the reasons for our thanksgiving. Let us not allow all of the hype and commercialism of these seasons; nor, all of the stresses and struggles we face to deter us from truly offering tôdâ -thanksgiving to God. And, what’s more, let us allow tôdâ, thanksgiving to open our hearts to God that we might experience God’s mercy and truth. Let us live a life of thanksgiving by applying this Psalm to our lives.
I came across an article in the USA Today sometime back that discussed all the anxieties in our country: a weak economy, unemployment, disease, threat of terrorism, war, and high gas prices, to name a few. Adding to the stress level is the every day concerns of raising children and keeping them safe, schools, marriages and personal finances. With all of these anxieties and struggles it is difficult to give thanks sometimes. To the Hebrews though, "thanksgiving" meant a lot more than just being thankful. And certainly, it involved more than just eating. To the Hebrews, thanksgiving was a way of life, and I think we could learn a lesson or two from their understanding of "thanksgiving."
One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 100, it is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. In fact, it is titled; Tôdâ, which is a Hebrew word derived from the verb yādâ. Now, I know what you’re thinking; "Yada, yada, yada, Chris, not another Hebrew lesson!" But there is a profound lesson to be learned from this Hebrew word. In its simplest form, yādâ means "to throw" or "to cast" and common forms of this verb mean to "acknowledge," "confess" or "praise." Thus, tôdâ is an "acknowledgment" or "confession" of one’s own shortcomings – not ignoring them. Tôdâ is also an "acknowledgment" or "confession" of God’s goodness, as in the case of Psalm 100. Another meaning of tôdâ is "thanksgiving offering," which was a sacrifice made to express thanks to God. Psalm 100 would have been a typical psalm used when presenting such an offering, when praising God’s righteousness in contrasts to one’s sin, and when confessing God’s greatness through singing. Certainly, this Psalm should be a part of our daily living.
The Psalmist begins by proclaiming; "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing." The Hebrew verb for "make a joyful noise" is a command for public praise. Thus, reminding us that thanksgiving isn’t just felt but also expressed and lived out. Notice too, that this command isn’t just addressed to Israel but to all the earth. The Israelites were to be a people who would attract the nations to worship God. And so, through our thanksgiving we must attract others to God.
I love how the Psalmist in verse 3 affirms his faith in God, by saying; "Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us...; we are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture." These words reflect the great confession of faith known as the Shema, which affirmed the Hebrew’s faith in One God - monotheism!
And finally, the Psalmist sums us this Psalm of Thanksgiving - Tôdâ, with the words that Johnny Appleseed captured in his song; "Oh, the Lord’s Been Good to Me." The Psalmist writes; "For the Lord is good; God’s mercy endures forever, and God’s truth to all generations." Indeed the Lord is good to you and me! And notice how the Psalmist’s affirmation of the goodness of God in this final verse is supported by an appeal for God’s mercy and truth. The Hebrew word for "truth" comes from the root word meaning "to be established" or "to be confirmed." From this same root also comes the word amen, meaning "surely" or "truly." God’s goodness is based on God’s love and faithfulness. Amen!
As we enter these months of thanksgiving; first, beginning with Thanksgiving itself, and then Advent and Christmas, let’s be mindful of the reasons for our thanksgiving. Let us not allow all of the hype and commercialism of these seasons; nor, all of the stresses and struggles we face to deter us from truly offering tôdâ -thanksgiving to God. And, what’s more, let us allow tôdâ, thanksgiving to open our hearts to God that we might experience God’s mercy and truth. Let us live a life of thanksgiving by applying this Psalm to our lives.
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 12:09 PM
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