Magnify Him with Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has a special place in the American story. Long before it became a national holiday filled with turkey, family, and football, it was a deliberate pause to acknowledge the goodness of God. In a country shaped by both hardship and hope, setting aside a day for gratitude makes perfect sense. That is why, for the month of November, we are focusing on the simple yet powerful theme of gratitude – biblical gratitude that reaches deeper than a single Thursday in late November.

Thanksgiving is a distinctly American tradition. Mike Gonzalez, a writer with The Heritage Foundation who has lived in seven countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, once observed that he had never encountered anything quite like it anywhere else. While other nations celebrate harvest festivals, America’s tradition of setting aside a national day to give thanks to God has a history all its own.

In fact, our Thanksgiving tradition has inspired other countries to follow our example. Brazil adopted its own Thanksgiving observance in 1949, inspired by its ambassador to the United States. Liberia, whose founding was closely connected to formerly enslaved and free Black Americans, also celebrates a national Thanksgiving holiday rooted in American tradition.

I find that fascinating. America’s tradition of giving thanks has made an impression on people around the world. But what if the same principle that makes Thanksgiving such a meaningful national tradition could make our individual lives a powerful testimony to God’s goodness?

I believe one of the greatest ways we can share our faith and encourage others is simply by expressing gratitude to God in front of them. We don’t always need a polished testimony or a carefully constructed argument. Sometimes the most compelling witness is simply talking about how good God has been to us – especially when life is still hard.

That’s exactly what we find in Psalm 69.

David wrote this psalm during a season of deep distress. We don’t know the exact circumstances, but his words paint a picture of someone completely overwhelmed. He describes sinking in deep mud with no place to stand, floods threatening to swallow him, and enemies surrounding him. He’s exhausted from crying out to God, wondering how much longer he must wait for an answer.

It’s a painfully honest picture of suffering. And yet, toward the end of the psalm, something remarkable happens.

In verse 29, David is still suffering. He says, “I am afflicted and in pain.” His troubles haven’t disappeared. But then, in the very next verse, he declares: “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30 (opens BibleGateway in a new tab), ESV)

I love that word magnify.

Think about what a magnifying glass does. It doesn’t actually make an object bigger. It simply allows us to see more clearly what was already there.

That’s what David is describing. God is already infinitely great. We cannot make Him greater than He is. But we can magnify Him in the eyes of others, drawing attention to His goodness, faithfulness, mercy, and love.

And one of the ways we do that is through gratitude.

Notice that David doesn’t say he will magnify God after his circumstances improve. He chooses to magnify God while he’s still hurting. His gratitude isn’t based on everything going his way. It’s based on who God is.

We often associate gratitude with receiving something good. An answered prayer, a financial provision, or good news from the doctor. And we absolutely should thank God for those things. But biblical gratitude goes deeper. It’s recognizing that God is good even when life is difficult, remembering His faithfulness when we don’t understand His plans.

And here’s where this gets really interesting.

David continues in verses 31–33 by explaining that this kind of thanksgiving pleases God more than an animal sacrifice. Then he describes what happens when others witness his praise: the humble see it and are glad, and those who seek God are encouraged to take heart.

In other words, our gratitude doesn’t just honor God. It encourages the people around us.

When we are going through a difficult season and still find reasons to thank God, people notice. When we acknowledge God’s goodness in ordinary conversations, we remind others of His faithfulness. And when we openly thank Him for what He’s done, we may be encouraging someone who desperately needs to hear that God has not forgotten them.

This doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. David certainly didn’t. He was honest about his suffering, but he refused to allow his suffering to become the only thing he talked about.

I wonder how often we miss opportunities to magnify God simply because we don’t think to mention Him.

Someone asks how we’re doing, and we tell them about our problems. Someone asks about our family, and we share our concerns. There’s nothing wrong with any of that. We need people who will listen, pray, and help carry our burdens.

What if we also made a point of talking about God’s goodness? What if we shared an answered prayer, a lesson God has been teaching us, or a reminder of His faithfulness during a difficult season?

These don’t have to be dramatic stories. Some of the most meaningful expressions of gratitude are found in the ordinary moments of life – a conversation with a friend, a meal with family, or the strength to face another difficult day.

As we begin this month of Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you to do something simple. Each day, intentionally look for one specific reason to thank God. It might be something He’s provided, something He’s taught you, or simply a reminder of who He is.

Then take it one step further. Don’t just think about it. Say it.

Tell your spouse. Share it with a friend. Mention it to your children or grandchildren. Find a way to make God’s goodness visible to someone else.

Our nation has a long tradition of setting aside a day to give thanks. But as followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to make thanksgiving a way of life.

And as we intentionally magnify God with thanksgiving, we may discover that our own hearts are strengthened, the people around us are encouraged, and God is glorified through the ordinary moments of our lives.

That’s a pretty good reason to be thankful.