Tomorrow, November 26th, 2020, is Thanksgiving. It is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and commemorates a feast first held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Historical accounts tell us the pilgrims had left England to seek a new home promising prosperity, land ownership and freedom to practice their faith. After a treacherous journey and many hardships, there was a celebration of the first corn harvest in their new land. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November “to ask God to commend to His tender care to all those who had become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers”, and to “heal the wounds of the nation”. “In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance”. Originally, it followed days of fasting during difficult times and “days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty”. (Historical information and quotes taken from history.com/topics/thanksgiving).
What is your worship, what is your praise, for what are you grateful? Thanksgiving is more than tradition and gathering. It is so much more than turkey and stuffing. It is an act of worship to God through praise, prayer, and petition, acknowledging who He is, what He has done and what He will do.
Even in this time of world-wide pandemic and the confusion of how best to slow the spread of Covid 19, we are to be thankful. And we have much to be thankful for. This time in history is an incredible opportunity for Christians to stay the course, neither becoming discouraged nor disheartened.
We are to hold fast – Hebrews 3:6 but Christ [was faithful] as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
We are to remain focused on our hope – Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
We are to persevere in the faith of the Gospel – Colossians1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
We are to rejoice always, pray continuously, and give thanks in everything – 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 says, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Psalm 92:1-2 reads, It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High. To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night. God’s lovingkindness is His favor and mercy, His blessing poured out for those undeserving. His faithfulness is certain and secure.
Consider your example as a follower of Christ. The church is not a building, it is a people called by God to witness His Truth to the world. Are you hindering your witness with complaints of wearing a mask, grumbling about being asked to limit the size and place of your gathering, or complaining about the length of time this virus has affected your ‘normal’ and ‘expected’ lifestyle? No one likes what is happening but your response to what God has allowed will either create an open door to sharing Truth or a closed door of hypocrisy as others see disobedience displayed in your life. Is your focus on keeping your ‘rights’ or on giving up self in order to share Christ’s righteousness?
These are difficult and personal questions. I find myself becoming tired of the rules and the suggestions for safety. There are some things that simply do not make sense in my limited understanding. Many of us have not seen family for over eight months and it is easy to give up. The desire to throw all caution to the wind gets strong. I am guilty. But then, thankfully, I am brought back to reality and the reason for my life. It is not about what I want, what I understand or what I agree with, it is about Christ and His great sacrifice.
Sin is becoming magnified as filters of right and wrong are withdrawn from society. Will you choose to be light? Without God we are doomed. Yet, God has not and will not give up on those he loves. His patience is remarkable towards mankind. God, in His mercy and goodness, has extended life eternal to all who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Be thankful. I pray that your heart overflows with gratitude as you share Truth with those you love. There is no greater gift to give than the hope of the Gospel. There is no greater recipient or reason for our thanksgiving than GOD.
The gift of heaven is free to all who receive it. It is not something that is earned by hard work; it is not something that any of us deserve because we try to be good. Even in our best efforts we miss the mark, we make mistakes. We simply are unable to lead perfect lives. Because of this, there is a chasm between man and God. God is 100% perfect and holy so He is unable to be in the presence of sinful man. Our sin must be punished – the consequence is eternal death. God, because He loves you, sent His perfect Son to pay the penalty you owe for sin. In Christ, your debt is paid in full. There is no one Christ’s death has not covered. Your lifestyle, your past sin, your ‘skeleton’s in the closet’, your messed-up life, and anything else you can think of, are not greater than God’s power and the gift of His love. Jesus Christ died on the cross for you; He rose from the dead securing a place in eternal heaven for you. By faith, accept what He offers – freedom from sin’s control. Your heart will be changed forever, peace will ensue your soul, and your life will be an offering of thanksgiving everyday to the God who has saved you.
Perhaps this Thanksgiving we should follow the example given to us in 1863 and ask God to commend to His tender care to all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers, and to heal the wounds of the nation.
Focus Heavenward.
