12-1-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have been studying and praying about a message focused on the controversies roiling the church and public debates in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination \u2013 personal thoughts, as I was a guest on his podcast, but also the impact he had and has on issues that concern us, from faith to war to Israel. It is getting me \u201cdeeper\u201d than I expected\u2026 but also I should pause to share thoughts with you about Thanks-giving. Some time-tested, and timely, insights. + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was President Abraham Lincoln who conceived the idea of setting apart a day for government and citizenry to beseech God for mercy and forgiveness, and literally count our blessings, in the midst of a nightmarish, bloody, brother-against-brother civil war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863 began a tradition that held for generations. He wrote in part after enumerating some of the gifts God bestowed upon America:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens\u2026 to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them\u2026 ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings\u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Almighty God does not demand gratitude and thanks from us\u2026 Well, yes, He does, actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He is a \u201cjealous God,\u201d and through the Bible we are told, by Him and His prophets, that gratitude and thanks are due Him. Our worship liturgies remind us that it is \u201cmeet, right, and salutary that at all times and in all places we give thanks to Him\u201d\u2026 \u201cGive thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever\u201d\u2026 \u201cRejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus\u201d\u2026 \u201cEnter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name\u201d\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At one time we were a people who knew that God was the source of good things, and that He was worthy of praise and thanks. Now we are a people routinely expecting entitlements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to view the Lord and Thanks-giving in one more way. It is proper that we have an attitude of gratitude. But through the Bible, God does not only demand our thanks, praise, and obligation. We should also recognize that Christianity is a two-way street, so to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What I mean is this: God thanks us, too. The Creator of the Universe thanks US?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, His blessings often are \u201cthanks\u201d for our faithfulness. His amazing Creation was given, a gift, to humankind. Answered prayers are \u201cthanks\u201d for our devotion and supplications. The Gifts of the Spirit surely are His reaching down to bless us. The very fact that He became incarnate flesh to dwell among us and offer a plan of salvation is a manner of advance-thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us <\/em>(Romans 5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was there ever a more heartfelt \u201cThank You\u201d? The Lord considers us worthy of thanks, this verse says, before we would even deserve it. Thanks for believing in Him; loving Him; serving Him. The challenge to Christians is how we return thanks, how we give life to \u201cYou\u2019re Welcome, Lord\u201d when our attitudes are sincere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But respond we must, with passion and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gratitude. And a spirit of giving Thanks to the God who nevertheless remembers mercy. Let us solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledge Him with one heart and one voice. We say \u201cThank You\u201d to each other, our Lord and ourselves; and as He savors our humble \u201cYou\u2019re Welcomes,\u201d let us indeed welcome Him into our hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ll see you next week after \u2013 I pray \u2013 you will have had a blessed Thanksgiving.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n