Thanksgiving is the season for sumptuous meals, travel to family reunions, days off of school, a starting line in our sprint toward Christmas and a reason for a word from the White House.
In his annual Thanksgiving Proclamation, President Bush reviewed the Pilgrim settlers’ piety and recalled that Washington and Lincoln had issued sober proclamations in difficult times. In his 2008 call to thanks, one of approximately 100 presidential proclamations issued each year, Bush ended it as he always does saying he acted according to the Constitution and the laws of the land "in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight." That phrase "in the year of our Lord" clearly indicates that all time is anchored to the coming of Christ, who is the Lord of each year and as divine benefactor is to be the central focus of all our thanks.
After outlining the death of Christ, Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
According to Romans 1:21, the spiritually darkened pagan world slipped into its tragic mental and moral morass through lack of gratitude to God. "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
Ingratitude is not merely a tragic oversight. It can bring certain disaster. Consider Deuteronomy 8:11-18. "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish."
An excellent musical focus that embodies extensive gratitude is the old Swedish hymn "Thanks To God!".
In his annual Thanksgiving Proclamation, President Bush reviewed the Pilgrim settlers’ piety and recalled that Washington and Lincoln had issued sober proclamations in difficult times. In his 2008 call to thanks, one of approximately 100 presidential proclamations issued each year, Bush ended it as he always does saying he acted according to the Constitution and the laws of the land "in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight." That phrase "in the year of our Lord" clearly indicates that all time is anchored to the coming of Christ, who is the Lord of each year and as divine benefactor is to be the central focus of all our thanks.
After outlining the death of Christ, Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
According to Romans 1:21, the spiritually darkened pagan world slipped into its tragic mental and moral morass through lack of gratitude to God. "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
Ingratitude is not merely a tragic oversight. It can bring certain disaster. Consider Deuteronomy 8:11-18. "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God…lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish."
An excellent musical focus that embodies extensive gratitude is the old Swedish hymn "Thanks To God!".
Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks to God that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, Thanks thro’ all eternity!
Dave Virkler
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