Thanksgiving Bible Stories About Being Thankful

Thanksgiving is a time of praise and celebration for all the gifts and blessings God gave us. The Bible is full of Thanksgiving stories telling us to be appreciative of what we have. After all, contentment and gratefulness have always been part of the Lord’s teachings. 

That’s why during this upcoming holiday, it’s important to reflect on what truly matters. Using the Word as our guide, let’s go back to the true essence of Thanksgiving. Let’s celebrate our fruitful harvests as a result of the love and kindness of our Creator.

If you happen to be hosting a virtual Thanksgiving event, then consider reading one of these stories during the opening message. They’re great examples of how you can have thankfulness and gratitude even in difficult times.

In line with this purpose, we figured we should be able to put your mind at ease. We’ve compiled seven thanksgiving Bible stories to serve as a reminder of the true beauty of our life on Earth.

Regardless of where we’re at in life, it’s vital that we stay grounded and praise God for all we’ve achieved. Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, it’s a good time to share these Bible stories to humble ourselves in God’s presence. These are good stories to share whether it’s for a Bible study session, a Sunday school lesson, or simply to talk about God’s grace.

Without further ado, here are the Thanksgiving Bible stories below.

The Ten Lepers

“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17: 11-19

Out of the ten lepers Jesus healed, only one went back to thank Him. This man, completely free from illness but full of faith, knelt at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for showing mercy. Because of his gratitude, God healed him far deeper and more than the other nine men were.

When Jesus said in verse 19, “ Rise and go; your faith has made you well,” it appears that the man’s soul has been healed as well — something that only our love and appreciation for God can achieve.

Jesus and the Sinful Woman

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little, loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:44-50

Upon learning of Jesus’ visitation to the Pharisee’s home, this sinful woman came to beg and weep for forgiveness.  She knew of the mistakes she’s committed, and is now seeking mercy from the Son of God. Because of her remorse, she lavishly praised Jesus at His feet by using a bottle of perfume in exchange for oil.

Her great love and devotion has made her well. In the end, the Lord wholly forgave her, showing us that we, too, can receive penance by faith and gratefulness.

God’s Will

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

God asked us to maintain the peace and have a higher regard for those who work and dedicate their lives to serving Him. He told us to always be grateful regardless of the circumstances, seek the good in the bad, and endlessly pray and rejoice. 

This passage is a reminder to thank the Lord no matter the situation. As stewards of God’s creations, let’s take His words to heart and live with these in mind. 

Jehoshaphat’s Feat

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated…

So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lyres and trumpets. The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

2 Chronicles 20:20-22; 25-30

In the brink of defeat, Jehopshat prevailed through God’s guidance. Because of his endearing devotion to Christ, they achieved victory and bountiful supplies, which couldn’t be possible if it weren’t for God.

This proves that, despite all odds, we can overcome anything as long as we believe and follow His word, we can receive His blessing and cross mountains far beyond our reach.

David’s Psalm for Giving Grateful Praise

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

In the entire book of Psalms, David praised God, regardless of what he was facing or struggling with. This passage alone shows his devotion and gratitude to the Lord in spite of his trials and doubt.

In return, this teaches us that, no matter what happens, it’s important to give thanks. Be grateful for everything, and rejoice in God’s name for he is our Creator and our Almighty Father. Whether or not it’s Thanksgiving, we should all learn to say a little prayer of thanks everyday. It’s the least we can do for everything that we have and receive.

The Barren who Birthed a Child

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” …

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.”

1 Samuel 1:10-11; 19-20; 27-28

Hannah wanted to have a child of her own, even though she’s barren. Every year she would dedicate a day for prayer and sacrifice, praying to the Lord to open her womb. Because of her faith, God eventually gave what she wanted. Even then, she offered her child to the Lord as a sign of her faith and gratitude.

Just as we all are, Hannah is an ordinary woman, who sought a gift from the Lord. Her dedication proves to us all that God is the answer to all of our prayers. Her selflessness is a sign of her love and devotion to God, offering Him the one thing she deeply wanted.

Almighty King David

After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes. When David returned home to bless his household, Michal, daughter of Saul, came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

2 Samuel 6:18-22

We may find it difficult to serve others, especially if we have a higher stature than most. In this story, however, King David served as God’s instrument, treating all men and women to some bread and cake. He immediately deflected when Michal questioned him for his behavior, responding it was God’s will and he’d be happy to do so because the Lord, Himself, wished it for him.

No matter your power or role in society, we’re all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Regardless of how high and mighty we may be, we must let go of pride and dignity to fulfill God’s will.

Conclusion

These stories about thanksgiving are just some the Bible contains. Above all, it is God who rules upon all living things. As the one Supreme Being, it is He who we must serve and praise for the lives we lead. This Thanksgiving, remember to humble yourself in the presence of the Lord.

May we all find a new meaning with these Bible stories about thanksgiving and, hopefully, reflect on them with a new perspective in life.

With that said, we would like to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. May you all have a blessed year of love, life, and devotion ahead.