I have been continuing in my studies in Isaiah, which are being posted on my other blog. This week, however, I would like to take a little time to focus on the goodness of God and on giving of thanks.
This week Americans will celebrate a special holiday called Thanksgiving. Surely, we should be thankful to God and give Him praise every day of the year, but this day is specifically set aside to remember the things that God has done and the mercies and goodness of God. There are several other countries that also have their version of Thanksgiving celebration. These include Australia, Canada, Granada, Liberia, Netherlands, and Saint Lucia. Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving on October 12th, and Granada celebrates theirs on October 25th.
Thanksgiving feasts are nothing new and date back to Bible times. In the days of Nehemiah, there was a big thanksgiving feast in Jerusalem after the wall was built. The people were very grateful that God had allowed them to go back into Jerusalem and to rebuild the wall. It was a time of joy, singing, feasting and celebration. Nehemiah encouraged the people, “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Why celebrate this year? This has been a very hard year in almost every way for so many people. Times are hard. Everything is changing. But there is One who has not changed. Though all around us seems to be so troubled and things do not look good, God is still good. God has not changed. Psalm 65:11 says, “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” Also, Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Sometimes it is hard to see what benefits God has bestowed upon us, but the Bible says He loads them upon us daily.
What are some things God’s children have to be grateful for, especially those of us here in the United States?
Our pastor mentioned some things we have to be thankful for in his sermon yesterday.
1. Our church
The devil cannot defeat the Lord’s church, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Jesus (Jesus is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother)
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Our country. Though we are in a trouble now and sin is so prevalent, it seems that much of the nation has a reprobate mind, we have been a country blessed by God and given many benefits by God.
8. Salvation
9. Heaven
10. Hell is not my destination because Jesus Christ is my personal Savior.
Perhaps there are other things we can think of too – beautiful flowers, the song of birds, the fact that we are alive and God has protected us all throughout the year to this date, the presence of God who will never leave us nor forsake us, God’s promise to hold us up with His right hand, a hiding place under the shelter of God’s wings, and many more.
As we go through this week with its blessings and challenges, let us take some time to reflect on the benefits God is loading upon us and remember that God is good. It may be easier to see the hard things and to dwell on them, but there are still many things for which we can give thanks.
Perhaps a good portion of Scripture for starting out the week and to meditate upon throughout the week would be Psalm 100, which is just five short verses.
1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.