Thanksgiving

November 22nd

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

‘Tis the season for giving thanks! It’s what those of us who reside in the United States of America are expected to do this week. Thanksgiving as we know it today came about some 400 years ago in relatively modern history and annually, on the fourth Thursday in November, we are reminded to give thanks for all that we have. This isn’t a bad thing….in fact, it’s a great tradition, and yet throughout scripture it has been a given that God’s people would be a thankful people. Psalms 140:13 says “Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence” and Psalms 97:12 says “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name”. These writings certainly predate our United States and our holiday. They were written for all of God’s people everywhere and in every situation. It should be no surprise that in this materialistic culture we tend to focus more on material blessings when giving thanks, but the above verses speak of giving thanks at the remembrance of His name. Nothing that we possess can be compared to Him. He overshadows EVERTHING! This is why all believers everywhere can be equally thankful on Thanksgiving Day and every day. Those who struggle to survive each day have as much to be thankful for as those who live in luxury. NOTHING compares to the glory that awaits each and every one of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:18). Compared to knowing Him, ALL else is irrelevant.
However you choose to spend this Thanksgiving season, take time to thank God for who He is. God is love, and that love has reached down to you and me via His only son, Jesus. We are all equally, eternally blessed because of that truth. May we be a thankful people every day of our lives regardless of our circumstances, because we have been handed the victory!
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” I Corinthians 15:57
Praying for You, and our persecuted brothers and sisters wherever they may be!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Chris Olson