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Come and stand before your Maker
Full of wonder, full of fear
Come behold His power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near

For the one who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting love

Rejoice, come and lift your hands and
Raise your voice, He is worthy of our praise
Rejoice, sing of mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice

We are children of the promise
The beloved of the Lord
Won with everlasting kindness
Bought with sacrificial blood

Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a Father
Who will never let them go

All our sickness, all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill
He has walked this path before us
He is walking with us still

Turning tragedy to triumph
Turning agony to praise
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazed

“Rejoice always . . . give thanks in all circumstances.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18

Today you will likely gather around a table filled with all manner of holiday food and give reasons why you are thankful. On the outside chance you are at a loss for things to offer, here are 16 biblical reasons for rejoicing and thanksgiving:

1. “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:20
2. “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.” – Romans 5:2-3
3. “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:11
4. “Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart.” – Romans 6:17
5. “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Corinthians 1:4
6. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:17
7. “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14
8. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15
9. “[Give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20
10. “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” – Colossians 1:3-4
11. “[Give] thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” – Colossians 1:12
12. “We give thanks to God always for all of you.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2
13. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you . . . because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:3
14. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you . . . because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
15. “Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings.” – 1 Peter 4:13
16. “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” – Revelation 11:17