Thanksgiving…God’s Will, God’s Peace
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NLT
As we come to another Thanksgiving, it is time to pause and to reflect on our many blessings. Blessings from the Lord and the blessings we enjoy in the “land of the free and home of the brave.”
When we reflect on our life, all that we have and enjoy can be a cause for thanksgiving. But God’s will is for us to not only to be a thankful people, but to realize that being thankful, even in the most difficult time is His desire for our life. Paul also reminds us that “thankful living” promotes God’s peace in our life. When we give thanks we are reminded of the blessings of the Lord and His faithfulness and even in the face of the challenges of life we can experience God’s peace.
A former Capitol aide of mine shared on his FaceBook post about the Thanksgiving Proclamation during the Civil War. It was 1863. Even in the midst of a country divided, riots and a contentious election season, William Seward penned the Thanksgiving proclamation:
Seward started the proclamation with the many things the country could be thankful for including bountiful harvests, productive mines, and Union victories on the battlefield. In the rest of his proclamation he implored the nation to give thanks to “our beneficent Father” for the “gracious gifts of the Most High God,” recommending that people set aside that day to “offer up ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings.” Seward continued to ask that people have God forgive the perverseness of the nation and to commend to God those who are mourning and the widows and orphans that were a result of the conflict.
Seward finished the proclamation advising that the people “implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation” and to pray that the nation be restored “as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.”
In the most challenging of situations, we can still be thankful. Our thankful attitude everyday is also shaped by perspective. When we look outside of our own life and existence, we can find much to be thankful for.
A friend of mine share the following…
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or even spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
Prayer for today…. Lord, we give You thanks for who You are and what You mean to each of us. You alone are our source of peace, and life. Help us to remember that when we live according to Your will, we experience Your peace. A thankful attitude is at the heart of your desire for our lives.