If you gave a gift to me, how would you feel if I thanked everyone in the room...except you?
We hear a lot about being thankful at this time of year.
Today is one of the few days when the entire country is 'on the same page' and giving thanks for something. Some are thankful for family, some are thankful for jobs, some for health, houses, some for turkey...even the Detroit Lions on t.v.!
Question: Who are we thankful to?
Is it simply some impersonal 'force', or 'fate' which has put you here at this time, in this place?
I don't think so.
I am convinced it is the hand of Almighty God who has blessed us with all these blessings, even if we haven't acknowledged Him in any way.
"Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:16-17)
In fact, in back in 1789, President George Washington's first Thanksgiving address, he said this:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be..." (The entire Proclamation can be found at the link: http://wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html.)
The point is that we should be thankful to a specific Being-Almighty God!
It is He who gives us everything from air, water and food to family, freedom, and fun times! Even football (yes, even the Lions on Thanksgiving day) is part of the blessing of Almighty God!
Psalm 100 says it this way:
"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation."
Today, be thankful...enjoy family, friends, and football.
Just remember to give thanks to a Almighty God, as the One who is the source of your blessings...and tomorrow, when you move on to Christmas Prep, ask Him to be a bigger part of your life--not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day!
Thankfully,
Dave
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