Take time to be still and concentrate on all the things you are grateful for in November. Whether you feel like the current year has been a good one or a not-so-good one, let all of those feelings fall to the side. God is good no matter what you’re seeing. He sees a lot more than we see. Begin with a Potter/clay mentality and then think about the events of the past year. You may then see more of the blessings and less of the pain. The pain you may have experienced is real, but pain usually comes with lessons which are blessings of their own. You may notice that the past year has been better than it may have felt like.
When you have faith in God, there are always things to be thankful for. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, so if He was there for you before, He is there for you now. And even in the moments where you wonder if He is still there, your doubts don’t take away from the fact that He is still there. He doesn’t move. He is everywhere. But you may have been hiding your face from Him out of shame, fear, or even anger.
Lift your hands to Him right now and thank Him because He is always just. He is always good. He is always kind. Even when He is teaching you a hard lesson, He is still good. In November, sing praises in the name of the Lord Most High.
Many places in scripture, God tells us to give thanks. Psalm 107:1-2 tells us to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. And, we should speak out about His redemption. Psalm 138:1 says to give thanks to the Lord with all your heart and sing His praises before the so-called gods of this world. When you give thanks, you are starting from a good place.
Here are 10 Thanksgiving hymns to uplift you and your family this November, with scriptures to back them up.
1. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
These lyrics were written by Thomas Chisholm in 1923.
The music was composed by William Runyan in 1925
It is based on Lamentations 3:22-23
The faithful love of the Lord never ends
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning. - Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
2. How Great Thou Art
This song is based on the Swedish hymn, O Store Gud (which means O Great God).
It was written by Carl Boberg in 1885.
Stuart K. Hine translated it to English in 1949.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension! - Psalm 147:5 NLT
3. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Written by Robert Robinson in 1758.
It was based on 1 Samuel 7:12.
Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!” - 1 Samuel 7:12 NLT
And Robert Robinson was only 22 years old when he wrote it!
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. - 1 Timothy 4:12 NLT
4. Amazing Grace
This epic song was written by John Newton in 1772.
It has been recorded a multitude of times and is popular with unbelievers, as well as believers. It may be possible to soften an unbeliever’s heart with the lyrics to this song. With God, all things are possible.
God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. - 1 Corinthians 12:6 NLT
5. He’s Always Been Faithful
This song was adapted from Great is Thy Faithfulness, so it was co-written by William M. Runyan, Thomas O. Chisholm, and Sara Groves.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning. - Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
6. Indescribable
Written by Jesse Reeves and Laura Story.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy? - Job 38:4-7 NLT
7. Give Thanks
Written by Don Moen and Paul Wilbur.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. - Psalm 136:1 NLT
8. Thank You Lord
Written by Don Moen.
A psalm of thanksgiving.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation. - Psalm 100:1-5 NLT
9. Blessed Be Your Name
Written by Matt Redman.
Then the leaders of the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—called out to the people: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!” Then they prayed:
“May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise! - Nehemiah 9:5 NLT
10. You Are Still God
Written by Scott Krippayne.
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” - Daniel 3:17-18 NLT
Try Writing Your Own Song to the Lord
If you feel creative this November, write down a list of every blessing you have. There are more than you can think of, but you can probably think of a lot. Then, take those blessings and the good feelings they invoke and write a poem or song. It can be for just the Lord and you, or you can share it with other people, whatever you want. Simply trying to write a psalm to God that conveys your thankfulness to Him will honor Him and bless you immensely.
Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power! - Psalm 98:1 NLT
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Vasyl Dolmatov
Jennifer Heeren loves to write and wants to live in such a way that people are encouraged by her writing and her attitude. She loves to write devotional articles and stories that bring people hope and encouragement. Her cup is always at least half-full, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. She regularly contributes to Crosswalk. Her debut novel is available on Amazon. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband. Visit her at her website and/or on Facebook.