Thanking My Lord Through the Trials of Life!

As we again approach and celebrate our National Day of Thanksgiving, one of my favorite, often repeated Old Testament verses about thankfulness is Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Please notice what this verse does NOT say. We are not called to give thanks because life is good, or because we are happy, or because all our troubles are over. God calls us to thankful hearts because of HIS goodness. God calls us to attitudes of thankfulness because HIS steadfast love endures forever.”

Children of God face trials in this world, just as everyone else does. We too face disappointments, loss, illness, injustice. After all, we live in a sinful world, and we ourselves are sinful people. To be honest, we don’t always feel thankful when facing life’s challenges. Nevertheless, “the LORD, . . . is good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”

I have recently read discussions concerning the fact that our National Day of Thanksgiving is not based on a specific Biblical event, such as Jesus’ birth at Christmas, or Christ’s resurrection on Easter. Thanksgiving Day issues from a Presidential Proclamation. George Washington made the first Presidential decree concerning this day. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day to be a national holiday. Yet, our country faces many troubling issues at this time. Is there really reason for thanks today? Yes, there is reason for thankful hearts. You see, “The LORD, . . . is good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”

The Holy Christian Church is a gift of the Lord to His children who live in a troubled world. Christians experience this gift in local congregations where God’s word from Scripture is preached and studied, where His word creates faith and comforts. Christians experience this gift from our Lord in local congregations where His sacraments bring His presence, His forgiveness, and salvation. One would think that in Christ’s church there would always be peace and love and joy. Right? Yet, in the New Testament we see God’s Church facing many internal as well as external troubles. God’s children still struggle with a multitude of church issues today. Is there really reason for thanks in the church? Yes, even in spite of church issues, “the LORD, . . . is good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”

Giving thanks is ultimately a matter of faith. Christian faith trusts that, in spite of our sin - like that of Adam and Eve, God is good and righteous. Christian faith believes that through troubles such as those faced by the Israelites in Egypt, God is present and He is good. Christians possess faith that even in times of persecution, such as was endured by Jeremiah, or Daniel, or even the first apostles, our Lord is Good. And we believe that in a world of sin and evil and suffering, God’s love endures. We can count on this enduring love. In addition, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection His love does not just endure, His steadfast love endures forever.

For years I have included in my Thanksgiving worship bulletins the Thanksgiving proclamation of President George Washington. "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 H has been pleased to confer upon us.” Even this president of the United States is asserting that the reason for thanks is the goodness and the “benefits” of God.

I pray for you, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, that this National Day of Thanksgiving you can say with the Psalmist, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” I pray that with this thankfulness you find joy and peace through the trials of life because of the love of God.