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You’ll become closer to God not by presenting God with your troubles, but by thanking God for your blessings.

-Anonymous

             Later this month—long after the elections are finally over—our nation will set aside time for thanksgiving.  If only we geared up for Thanksgiving like we do for Christmas.   Thanksgiving is certainly the most biblical of all the civic holidays.   It is healthy for us to intentionally set aside time to thank God for his mercy toward us.   Martin Luther said, “Blessings, at times, come to us through our labors and at times, without our labors, but never because of our labors.  God always gives them because of his undeserved mercy.”

 

             Amazingly, when Abraham Lincoln issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863 which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving, it was during some of the darkest days our nation has ever known.  Since 1861 the nation had experienced a terrifying and brutal civil war with thousands upon thousands of deaths and scores of others injured or lost to disease.   The proclamation came on the heels of the battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle in American history with upwards of 50,000 casualties.   This is not the typically occasion one thinks to be thankful.   Yet even in the midst of such tragedy, Lincoln believes Americans had a reason to be grateful to God.  Why?  Because of God’s mercy.   “The year that is drawing toward its close, has been filled with blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added.  In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity… peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed.  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.” 

 

             Mercy.  It means simply unmerited love and compassion, or not getting what you deserve.  Its implications, however, are profound.  Mercy is the reason we can always hope, even in tough times.  As the Psalmist writes, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him” (Ps. 103:8,10).  Mercy is the source of our self-confidence and identity.  We approach the God’s throne in full confidence, knowing that we will always receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need (Heb. 4:16).  God’s mercy is so vast and amazing.  But God doesn’t intend for his mercy to stop with a grateful heart.  God asks us to extend his love through our acts of mercy, striving to make a difference in the lives of those around us.  So, let’s remember this Thanksgiving Day, and all the days of our lives, to thank God for his mercy.  Let’s also remember to act out the calling of our life inspired by God’s unmerited favor: To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).  His mercy endures forever. 

 

Love,

 

Billy

Thanksgiving Living

Centre News