2023 Thanksgiving
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Intro
Intro
1621 The Pilgrims held a feast in early December. After losing half of the populate the year before, they had harvested a good crop, hunted and fished, stocked up on wood, built houses and wanted to have a day of Thanksgiving to God.
In 1789 George Washington called for a similar day to be observed by the entire nation for our nations freedom from Britain. November 26th
In 1863 this decaying tradition was again brought to light by Abraham Lincoln.
Then in 1941 it was made a national Holiday.
The Problem with our thanksgiving.
The Problem with our thanksgiving.
We are asked to be thankful for what we have and have been given.
homes, family, friends, peace, jobs, and other comforts.
We have forgotten that we are to be thankful to the Lord, at all times.
Biblical Commands
Biblical Commands
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Notice how in this verse there is no reason given. We aren’t be thankful because of anything, but in spite of everything.
It isn’t a formula to a better life, or a to gain a greater peace.
It is a faithful trust in God, that realizes that He is in control, in everything.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
If God is using everything for our eternal good, than we can take everything and thank God for it.
Let look at the Psalms for a thought on this.
Psalm 103:1–2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:”
Why do we bless and praise the Lord?
Psalm 104:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,”
God’s greatness!
He is clothed with honor and majesty.
Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
For His Mercy
Psalm 118:1 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
He is good.
A true good and also good to us. Look at all that He has given to us.
Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.”
His mercy, now also His truth! God knows and reveals pure truth. There is nothing like it on this earth.
Psalm 117:1–2 “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
He is merciful and kind to the Gentiles as well.
He didn’t just come near with a small salvation, but grafted us into His family tree.
If we look at the rest of Psa. 103 we see more deeply.
Psalm 103:1–3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,”
Psalm 103:4 “Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,”
Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:6 “The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.”
Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”
This is a start of a section of the Mercy of the Lord.
Mercy is great because it is undeserved.
Also because we deserve judgment.
Psalm 103:9–14 “He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Applications
Applications
Let us set ourselves to thank God for His attributes. It is a day to worship Him, not to rejoice in “our strength”.
I wonder if our Thanksgiving days will look more like the Psalms or like Nebuchadnezzar on the wall?
Look at all that I have!
May we set our sights on God.