My Heart Overflows with Thanks at the Goodness of God

I once purchased a book containing statements of faith by the leaders of our country. From that book I copied The First Proclamation of Thanksgiving by President George Washington in 1789

"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 implore His protection, aid and favors. . .Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us." - George Washington, 1789

Next Thursday, November 23, our country will observe Thanksgiving Day. Though, these days when people speak of Thanksgiving I hear more about turkeys, and parades, and football, and Black Friday. I hear very little, in public speech at least, about Almighty God.

Yet, as people of faith, we know that our Lord calls us to give thanks. In Psalm 136 the Psalmist repeats again and again, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1) God is good. Therefore we give thanks!

Jesus spoke to the one leper who returned to him after he had healed 10 lepers, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17-18) Jesus indicated that all who had been blessed by healing should give God praise and thanks!

Our Heavenly Father reminds us through St. Paul, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Did you hear that? For believers in Jesus we are called to be thankful “in all circumstances!:

But, do you ever have difficulty giving thanks? Do you ever wonder, “What is there to give thanks for?” George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other presidents called the nation to thank God. But today a person in public life can get in trouble for even talking about God.

Recently in the congregation where I am serving as pastor I asked people in the church to fill out a “Counting God’s Blessings in my Life” page. I asked God’s people to consider and to write down His Spiritual Blessings, His People and Family Blessings, His Opportunity and Career Blessings, and His Material Blessings. Even though I allowed 5 lines for each category, I confess to you I counted many more blessings from my Lord than I had lines on which to count them. Let me share just some of the reasons I have for thanking my Heavenly Father, in spite of the disappointments of life. I am thankful for:

· My Savior, Jesus, who loves me, forgives me, and saves me, in spite of my rebellious and selfish heart!

· God’s Church, and the congregations where I have belonged and served, and the faithful children of God who have served alongside me.

· The Scriptures, to give true guidance when my faulty guidance system would lead me astray.

· My family – I am so blessed to have had Christian parents, grandparents, and relatives. I am so blessed to have a faithful and loving wife. My children and my grandchildren bring joy to my heart!

· For faithful Christian mentors, a ‘cloud of witnesses’ – So many have helped me in my walk with Jesus!

· The opportunity to travel, to fish, to hunt, to golf, to read, and to experience the world which God has made.

· That God keeps His promise and provides – Early in our married lives Kathy and I did not believe we would ever afford a house, and we were fine with that. But our cup overflows with the material blessings which God gives.

· My friends – My only regret is that I have friends in Alaska, in Florida, in New England, and around the country and I cannot be in all those place at one time.

· And I could go on, and on, and on . . .

As I quoted Psalm 23 above, “My cup Overflows.” (Psalm 23:5) God is so Good and loving! Ultimately, that goodness comes to us through Jesus. Do you know Romans 8:32? “32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” God gives us all things we need. Thank you, Lord!

George Washington wrote, “. . . it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.” It may indeed be our duty. God Himself calls us to give Him Thanks. But, when I count MY blessings, thanking God is a joy!

For what are YOU thankful?