Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Truly Thankful

Thanksgiving is a truly great American holiday.  No not because there is pumpkin pie, and I really love pumpkin pie.  Thanksgiving is special because it is a time for followers of Christ to be truly grateful to God for the grace that He extends to us.  The first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621 was a celebration of God’s answer to the prayers of His children.   The previous summer the pilgrims faced a severe drought and so they called for a time of fasting and prayer.   God answered with an abundant harvest and so they celebrated.

Psalm 105:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” (ESV)  As followers of Christ we have more to be thankful for than we could ever possibly list.  Because of Jesus we should be people marked by thanksgiving.  The next few weeks as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas should be time where we are filled with reminders of Christ’s great love for us.  Often, however, these weeks become dreadful as we fill them with too many activities to mention.

Let me encourage you to follow your time of Thanksgiving this year with what follows in Psalm 105:3, 4; “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!  Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”  (ESV)  Don’t get so wrapped up in the festivities that you miss the Savior.   During this time more than ever we should rejoice in Christ and pursue His presence.   Have a super Thanksgiving!

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