Thanksgiving 2018

Good Day to each of you reading this column on the importance of Thanksgiving each day. Yes, I am late on this lesson, so please forgive me.

I wanted to express thoughts on what many of us take for granted each day, which is Thanksgiving to everything that we have received from our Creator.

Turn with me to Psalms 118– I ask that you read this chapter thoroughly for it gives true insight for individual and nations collectively.

We, as individuals, take for granted liberties, surroundings, and fellow man because we are in a fast-paced world. Driven by stress, outside pressures, and the doldrums each day, man is looking for an escape to get away from it all and find some peace from life’s daily pressures.

Look at verse 8: It is better to seek refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. (Smith & Goodspeed). I have read that this is the middle verse in the Bible and have folks agree and some disagree. Let’s put our differences aside and look upon this verse.

In this turbulent world, re-read this verse to get the full effect of seeking refuge in the Lord—now, move forward to verse 24—This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad therin! (Smith & Goodspeed)

Do you rejoice each day that God has given you? If not, then let’s turn to the next verse—27a—The Lord is God and he has given us light (Smith & Goodspeed). Light, what we do without light? How could we live in darkness? Upon awakening, isn’t your day different when the sun is shining and when it’ dark and rainy?

This leads me to verse 1 and verse 29 of chapter 118—Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, For his kindness is everlasting. Many of us were taught this simple prayer as youngsters – God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food, by his hands we all are fed, Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

Is Thanksgiving one day out of the year to gather the family and give thanks? When going to a restaurant, do you give thanks for the food that you are about to partake? Are you fearful as to what people may say or think?

Look at verse 6 & 7 to see what the Psalmist says about what people may think—With the Lord for me, I do not fear what man may do to me. With the lord for me as my helper, I shall gaze in triumph on those who hate me. (Smith & Goodspeed)

Yes, we are in a computer age with devices gathering our attention, stress from morning till the time we go to sleep, problem solving, parenting, making ends meet, and the hustle and bustle of life.

Take a breath, a deep breath and say to yourself three times—This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad therein. (Smith & Goodspeed).

With the above verse in mind, here is what John Wesley said, — “Yes, I must stand before the Lord, and answer in that day for everything that I have done, for all I think and say.”

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his kindness is everlasting. Let us return the favor and may our thanksgiving to the Lord be everlasting and not for one just day.

May God bless you each day and may you bless God each day for all that he does for you.

Jeff