On October 3, 1789 President George Washington declared a National Day of Thanksgiving for November 26, 1789. In part he said:
“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…”
Less than a hundred years later, President Abraham Lincoln in his Thanksgiving Proclamation said this:
“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the 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, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”
Too often we forget or just take for granted all the blessings we have received from God almighty over this past year. We tend to focus on the things that have gone wrong and totally forget to thank God for all that He has given us out of a gracious heart. So, where does one start in offering thanks?
If you are reading this, you ought to give thanks to God for another day of life, because tomorrow is promised to no one.
If you had a roof over you head, you ought to give thanks to God.
If you had clothes on your back and food on the table today, you ought to give thanks to God.
If you and your family are in reasonably good health, you ought to give thanks to God.
If during this past year you had the opportunity to speak your mind, cast a vote, or worship in any way you chose, you ought to give thanks to God.
If your children and grandchildren are happy and healthy, you ought to give thanks to God.
If you have income from a job or from a pension, you ought to give thanks to God.
If you have a friend who will put up with your griping, will comfort you when you mourn, will laugh with you when times are good, then you ought to give thanks to God.
Perhaps the Psalmist said it best in Psalm 106:1 - “Praise the Lord! O give THANKS to the Lord, for He is good; for his stead fast love endures forever.”
Veritas,
Curt