Thankful—Even While . . .
Today is America’s Thanksgiving Day, a tradition established by our nation’s first president George Washington, who made the proclamation in the month of November 1789. He declared this a public day of thanksgiving and prayer. Consider for a moment how this declaration was issued at the conclusion of the nation’s war for independence.
Seventy-four years later in 1863, another influential US president Abraham Lincoln made another proclamation reflecting upon the blessings of God on the country. As the sixteen president and just as the first (president), Lincoln made his proclamation even while the nation was in the middle of the Civil War.
As we reflect upon these two periods in history, it is imperative to note these truths—
- We can praise God & be thankful—even while turmoil surrounds us.
- We can be thankful for the nice, for the wonderful, & for the pleasant parts of our lives—even while we are facing insurmountable trials.
On the night of Jesus’ crucifixion, He paused to recline at the table with his apostles.
“When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.
And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said,
“Take this and share it among yourselves;
for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying,
“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
(Luke 22: 14-20 NASB)
- The turkey is in the oven, cooking for a few hours to reach the perfect juiciness (We hope).
- The Macy’s Day Parade may play on the television as we prepare the remaining dishes & those we have invited to our tables travel safely to our homes (We hope).
- The family will soon gather around the table to share a time-honored tradition and share conversation with civility (We hope).
- The day of the Lord is coming, the day when Jesus will return to earth to gather those who have trusted Him as Savior and Lord, & on that day, as we look to our left and right, we see the multitude ascending to meet Jesus in the clouds. Will we see our loved loves? (We hope.)
The Lord Jesus Christ will one day soon eat the Passover meal with the children of God when “the kingdom of God comes.” This Promise of HOPE is ours already!
- Today & Tomorrow & Every Day We Are Given to Breathe, Let Us Be Thankful—Even While . . .
- Today, let us bow to give thanks to the King of kings!
- May we each recall how Jesus died for our sins, for our sicknesses, for our diseases, for our cancers, & for our mental depressions.
Jesus bought each of us at a price—the cost of His Life!
In the vision of God given to the apostle John, we read these words—
“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ [the Messiah];
and He will reign forever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
saying,
“We give You thanks,
O Lord God,
the Almighty,
who are and who were,
because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.”
(The Revelation to John 11: 15-17 NASB)