November 26

If he offers it in thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil. — Lev 7:12 BSB

In ancient times, people would offer sacrifices of thanksgiving when they received special blessings. If a traveler survived a storm at sea, the first thing he did after reaching land was to present a thank-offering to God. If someone recovered from a serious illness, their first journey would be to the tabernacle to make an offering of gratitude. Shouldn’t we also offer something to God after every deliverance, every recovery, and every new blessing we receive?

There’s a story of a Scottish mother whose child was snatched away by an eagle. In her desperation, she saw the bird soar away to its nest high on a cliff. No one could reach it. The mother prayed, pleading for her child’s safety. An old sailor scaled the cliff and rescued the baby. As the mother continued to pray with closed eyes and outstretched hands, the sailor laid the child silently in her arms and disappeared.

Without saying a word or kissing her child, the mother rose and carried the baby to the church to dedicate it to God. Shouldn’t every life restored, every joy saved from sorrow, be given to God in gratitude before it is enjoyed for ourselves?