Does the Scriptures require that we say a blessing before each meal?
Let’s begin by reading 1 Timothy 4:3-4, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING.”
The Lord has created food for us to eat, and His desire is that we receive his gifts of food for us and thank Him for them. Thankful people will express their thankfulness to the Lord for ALL His gifts, including the food He has created and supplied for us.
Let’s consider Luke 17:11-17 which says, “And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”
The Lord healed these ten lepers, yet only one returned to Him to thank Him for what He had done for them. The Lord rightly asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” How is it that we gladly receive the blessings and provisions of the Lord, but are so slow to thank Him? How can we be so unthankful in the face of such gracious provision? We are assured in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
- Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: BE THANKFUL unto him, and bless his name.”
- Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and BE YE THANKFUL.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing GIVE THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
It is good to thank the Lord for His provision and care, even as we are praying for it. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6).
Saying “thank you” to the Lord hardly seems like enough in light of all His blessings to us. But whenever we do thank Him and praise Him, He gladly receives the outpouring of our hearts. How can we say “Thank You” enough to the Lord? As His people, He never stops providing for us and blessing us by meeting all our needs whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Every good thing in our lives comes from the hands of our loving Father. We read in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
In giving thanks to God, we are reminded of how deeply He loves us for He provides for us. May we realize afresh how the Lord loves us and gives us “good and perfect gifts” and may we be thankful for Him and all these gifts…especially the gift of salvation He has provided through the death of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. (CC) (592.4)