Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving Thoughts 

Today is Thanksgiving, a day traditionally set aside to remember the bounty and blessings that have been bestowed on us. If one looks through the Scripture, it will become clear as to the value our God places on Thanksgiving. Some form of the word thanks is recorded more than 150 times in the Bible. The spirit of thanksgiving is integral to a gospel-centered life. Today my thoughts are turned to Paul’s command in I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

In EVERYTHING?  Really, Lord?  Okay, I get it. It’s not for everything, but you want me to exude a spirit of Thanksgiving in every circumstance of life.   This fall has been difficult, as I have I have been sick – just inconvenience sick—nothing life threatening. However, it has limited my effectiveness and my ability to do for myself.  It has culminated in a choice that I feel is better for everyone, due to a hacking and annoying cough– to stay home from the normal family gathering.

So how can I give thanks in the midst of this?  First, I thank the Lord that despite my loneliness, He is my Emmanuel – He is God with me, and I meet Him in His Word and prayer.  Second, I am thankful for friends and family who are bringing me food – so that I can have a Thanksgiving feast – My God is Jehovah-Jireh the one who provides.  Third, I am thankful that even though my doctors and doctors-to-be are driving me crazy, Jehovah-Shalom gives me peace that He is fully in control of the situation.  Fourth, I am thankful that I know Jehovah—Tsidkenu, the Lord my righteous. This assures me that no matter what happens, I am assured of His presence because Jesus provided it for me through His death.  I am forever His, and for that I am most thankful.  I hope you share that assurance as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We Will Never Forget ... We Will Remember

We Will Never Forget … We Will Remember

This morning my Bible reading took me to Psalm 11, and as I read I could not help but think how this passage was appropriate for this day. On September 11, 2001, our nation was attacked by men, who embraced a militant religion and ideology, that would seek to destroy our nation. Nearly 3000 individuals lost their lives in that attack – nearly 3000 families were forever changed through that loss.  The pervasive fear that has infringed on so many lives can only find respite in the character and promises of God.

As David, the human author of this Psalm, presents his opening thoughts about his own situation, he states that the Lord is our refuge. Fleeing, giving up, or giving in, are not viable options.  He clings to his confidence that God is his place of safety. Today, we have that same hope – God is the refuge of all those who have placed their trust in Him.

David then asks a pointed question that is rendered thusly in an ESV footnote, “The foundations will be destroyed, what has the righteous done?”  Today the very foundations of our nation are under attack, and sadly these attacks are coming from within. And yet the question rings – “What will the righteous do … what has the righteous done?”  It is not time for retreat, but time to move forward in defense of this great nation and the ideology that we all hold dear.

 Yet God through the pen of David, God calls us to remember key truths about Himself:

1.       God is in His holy temple. He has not abdicated His righteous rule.  This causes us to remember that regardless of who is in the White House – God is in His Temple, lovingly and sovereignly directing the events of human history.  He will show His glory no matter what happens.

2.       He tests the righteous, but He punishes the wicked. The testing of the righteous is current and measured.  Its sole purpose is that we might shine more brightly in a world without hope. In my view, this mentioned punishment is largely future. God is longsuffering, but His holiness will demand that he deal with sin[1] on a personal level and on a national level.

The application is that we must live and behave in this current culture as men and women who will one day see our Lord face to face and practice His presence as we walk through this world.

May we never forget the sacrifices of 9/11 and may we always remember that God is a refuge for those who trust in Him.

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[1] Sin has been defined as anything we think, say, or do that breaks God’s law as revealed in the Bible.