We
all know at least a little something about the Pilgrims’ who had that first
(now famous) sit down dinner of thanks with the locals, local natives who, by
God’s mercy, had graciously helped the Pilgrims to survive the New England
weather for over a year. At that dinner, that assembly of souls was not
watching TV or playing on cell phones, nor were they talking football,
commenting on secular and commercial parade floats, rising musicians, or movie
stars. Instead, that gathered company of survivors counted the mercies that God
had poured out to sustain them, despite half of them having died since they
first landed on the edge of this land. God and His mercy was the focus of their
thanks. Will He and His mercies to us, also, be the praise of our lips
throughout our meal and day?
In
our modern world, for the most part, we silence ourselves about Jesus Christ
(our Creator) and His Word, in favor of those worldly things that titillate and
amuse us. We are eager to fill our mouths at God's bountiful table, but we are reluctant to let our mouths openly and unashamedly give Him
the real thanks and praise that is due to Him alone. How many quick ‘thanks for
the grub’ prayers will be offered, and then God forgotten, this day? How many
of us will allow Him to prompt us to tell others about even a few of His
merciful loving works in our lives?
Bless
God for His Word and His Christ, by which we can and must test and prove
ourselves and all things. Let all thanks and glory be unto Him to whom we shall
give answer for all that we do or neglect to do.
This
year I am grateful that God has sustained me through many trials, of
all sorts. Some trials, I failed, because I neglected to do things His
way. Yet, I bless the Lord Jesus Christ for His Word by which I have been able
to see where I have erred, that I might repent and grow in what is good in His
mind. I bless Him that He has sustained me, including through recurrences of post-shingles
discomforts and war wounds acting up. I bless Him that he has helped me to keep
reading His Word. I thank God that He continually reminds me to stay focused on Him
instead of on earthly things. I thank Him that I’m still healing from the
reflux lung damage that occurred late last winter. I bless God that He is still
teaching me about His ways. I bless Him that I’m still learning fiscal and
social skills and responsibility. I bless God that He helps me keep moving and reaching
out to other people, despite all the aches and pains that come with this aging
body, and despite the struggles of forgetfulness. I bless God for my huge
family and vast number of friends and acquaintances, and that I’m still
learning how to interact with people. I praise God for His mission of
sharing Jesus Christ with others. I especially thank Him for His promise of
eternal hope, peace, and life with Him in Christ Jesus, and that that is God's
greatest gift of all to me and to all humanity. I thank God that, as the song
says, “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through”, as I learn,
trust, obey, repent, and put into practice what His Holy Spirit and Word would
have me learn and do. This life is not about me and what I want, but about God
and my relationship with Him, on His terms.
May
God bless you and keep you in all that is good in His heart, mind, and Word.
May this Thanksgiving Day 2016, be truly a day of thanks and gathering to God's glory and to His praise,
in all our words and deeds.
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