There are more rules for the sacrifices and for sharing the food offerings with Aaron and his family. No one is to eat the fat or the blood. Those belong to the Lord. The flour loaves are to be mixed well with oil. Yum! Some of the offerings are called peace offerings that can be offered for thanksgiving. There are directions for a thanksgiving sacrifice.

We, as Christians, have directions for our thanksgiving sacrifice as well.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thess. 5:16-18a)

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:20)

We’re to give thanks in all circumstances. The God who is unchanging is unchanged by your circumstances. He’s the same God you were praising when all was going great in your life.

We also get a benefit from our sacrifice of thanksgiving. We’ve already received the perfect gift of atonement, our lives ransomed by the blood of Jesus, but there’s more.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Thanksgiving in prayer isn’t just a ritual. It’s an act of faith. When there are things that would make you anxious, you pray about them and then you thank God. He’s got this. He is able. He knows the future and holds it in His hands. He loves you perfectly and perfect love casts out fear.

When we put our requests and petitions into His hands in faith and leave them to His loving care, then we get to walk away with the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds.

How many hearts and minds do you know of that don’t have their peace guard up? Way too many, I’m sure. But we have this beautifully amazing promise. It’s ours for the taking, but we have to take it on faith. We give thanks not because it’s a formula for success, but because we know God. We know who God is and trust Him.

Give thanks because of His perfect, unchanging nature.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chron. 16:34)