Ephesians 5:19-20
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Thanksgiving holiday is filled with deep spiritual tradition. It is part of our spiritual heritage as Americans. President Washington penned these words when he declared the nation to observe a day of thanksgiving.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. (Opening quote from the Thanksgiving Proclamation signed by George Washington, President of the United States of America, October 3, 1789)
But How Can We Be Thankful In A Time Of Adversity?
The United States had gone through a serious time of adversity during the Revolutionary War. People died, others starved, many succumbed to disease. How could they be thankful?
It came down to their faith; a faith that God would see them through adversity and hardship. They had seen Him do it, even at great cost. They were thankful that they had endured the trial and remained faithful to their values.
This is not unlike another great man from history.
Look with me at the story of a man who had every right to be bitter—but wasn’t.
The next footsteps in the corridor, he knew, might be those of the guards taking him away to his execution. His only bed was the hard, cold stone floor of the dank, cramped prison cell. Not an hour passed when he was free from the constant irritation of the chains and the pain of the iron manacles cutting into his wrists and legs.
Separated from friends, unjustly accused, brutally treated—if ever a person had a right to complain, it was this man, languishing almost forgotten in a harsh Roman prison. But instead of complaints, his lips rang with words of praise and thanksgiving!
The man was the Apostle Paul—a man who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of great adversity. Earlier, when he had been imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Taken from a Billy Graham message.)
If you will take a moment to focus on these things rather than the adversity that we all have been facing, I believe you can have a very thankful Thanksgiving.
- Thank God For Jesus And His Salvation Of Your Life
- Thank God For His Presence And Power In Your Life
- Thank God For The People In Your Life
- Thank God For The Material Blessings You Have
- And Yes, Thank God For The Adversity
Now I won’t go into a long drawn out sermon on these 5 things. However, I would like to point out that even with the Covid-19 crisis, and now the political uncertainty that is currently going on, we can thank God for these. Not that we thank God for Covid, or strife. I do not believe either of those are from God. However, we can thank God for the opportunity to stand on our faith, principles, and values in the midst of these things.
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
So even these times give us the opportunity to grow into the people God has destined for us to be. I for one am thankful for the opportunity to do so. How about you?
Blessings!
Pastor Duke
Pastor Duke Taber and his wife Sue pastor Mesquite Worship Center located at 140 Riverside Rd. Ste D. in the Sherwin Williams Building. You can join them Sunday’s at 10:00 AM and Wednesday’s at 7:00. Absolutely everyone is welcome and you can come as you are.
Carolyn Simerly says
Thank you for your thoughtful words they give me strength.
Duke Taber says
You are more than welcome Carolyn. Thanks for reading.