Thursday, November 23, 2017
Psalm 136:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
THANKSGIVING FUTURE
It's Thanksgiving Day! Which for many means things like parades, turkey and stuffing, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, cranberries, and maybe even some lefsa; football and movies, decorating for Christmas, shopping early sales, and preparing to do battle for Black Friday deals.
Oh, wait, am I forgetting something? Oh, uh, right-- thanksgiving. It's funny how traditions grow each year and seem to crowd out the central message of a holiday. If, that is, giving thanks to God ever was the central message of Thanksgiving.
Today is not the only day that deserves thanksgiving. We should give thanks every day that the Lord grants the strength and ability to rise and carry out our tasks, even the mundane ones, because the day may well come when we are unable to accomplish them. We should give thanks that the Lord blesses us with gifts, ability and good health. We should give thanks that the Lord provides faithful pastors and teachers to feed us with the manna that is God's Word.
Let us look even past today, and give thanks for future blessings. Instead of asking, "What have you done for me lately?" let us confidently look to the future, knowing that God's mercy in Christ has no shelf-life, it endures forever. Let's ask even now for the strength to endure whatever tests may come to our faith in the days and months and years to come. Why not thank Him now for all His future blessings?
Proper thanksgiving also means trusting the LORD to provide for every future need.
