Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day, surrounded by those you love. If you can't be with family and friends today, then I pray you are reminded that you are never alone. Our Heavenly Father is with you always! (Hebrews 13:5 - "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.")
I read an interesting article yesterday, by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein (President of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews). It really struck a chord with me, so I wanted to share a portion of it with you here.
In 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that created a cherished American holiday. Reflecting upon the year that was soon to close, which he said had been "filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies," he declared that the U.S. should "observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
Note again the date of this proclamation: October 3, 1863. At this time, the nation Lincoln led was involved in the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history and one that quite literally pitted brother against brother.
President Lincoln's job of seeing the war through to victory for Union forces and healing his nation afterward was one of the most formidable challenges faced by any president. At this date, he could not have been certain he would succeed. And yet, he told his countrymen to set aside time to give thanks to God.
It is an example we would all do well to follow — in good times and bad, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.
I think about the road our nation is on today. This wonderful nation that was founded on Godly principles has done a complete turn-around. We've abandoned those principles for what might be "more politically correct", despite the damnation to follow. I pray we realize the damage that's been done, and what it would take to get us back on the right path... and then do something about it.
I thank God for the privileges we, as Americans... and as Christians, have today. But yet, I live in fear because more and more of those privileges are being taken away every day, it seems. That's not right! God has blessed our nation tremendously, yet we've abandoned Him. How much longer do we expect to live "as we want to live", before He cuts off those blessings? How much longer before He pours out His wrath upon what once was a Bible-believing Godly nation?
Yes, our God is a loving God. No one could ever love us more than He! (John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.")
But He is also a just God. (Romans 7:12 - "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.") (Rev. 15:3 - "And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.")
We all need to look back through the history books... and more importantly, through God's Word... and then humble our hearts with a true spirit of Thanksgiving (giving thanks to Him), for the bountiful blessings He's bestowed upon us. As I said earlier, He's so richly blessed our country with the freedoms that we have today. We should love and appreciate Him for that... and draw nearer to Him, rather than turning away from Him!
Today, on this special day that we've set aside to give thanks for our many blessings, I am indeed thankful for His goodness and mercy. He has continually poured out many, many mercies in my life, and I cannot thank Him enough for that. I thank Him for His blessings upon our country, despite our attitude towards Him, as a nation. I do believe we're living in times of peril, but we can still praise God, just the same. We have so much to be thankful for!
And I believe 2 Chronicles 7:14 to be true... that if we humble ourselves before the Lord, and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. I pray that each of us will make it a point to pray fervently for our country, for a true revival throughout, and for God to be given the glory and honor in which He so deserves.
I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! God bless you!
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2 comments:
Happy Thanksgiving (late) to you, too, honey. Tell Steve we're looking forward to meeting him in April. Please pray for Papa Bill and me, we're fighting this nasty croop, haven't felt like doing anything. We went to Candice's house for dinner yesterday, but had no energy whatsoever. Keep us in your prayers. We love you. Try to post more often. I enjoy them so much.
Thank you for your insight into Thanksgiving and your blog. I found it interesting. A lot of history we just tend to forget sometimes. Happy Holidays and feel free to talk to me on facebook~ Jennifer Larkins
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