“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34) What are we thankful for this year? Health? Family? Finances? Church? The list could (and should be lengthy). Our God gives us good reason to be thankful. He is a God who mercifully and generously provides for our daily needs. We see this every day as we have food to eat, clothes to wear, homes to live in, cars to drive and more. All that we are and all that we have is a gift of God. He has made it all and He gives it all.
So, again, what are we thankful for this year? I suggest we start with thanks for our God, our Creator, and Savior. His mercy and forgiveness never run out. We fail daily; He forgives us daily.
I suggest we add to that list all that we need for daily living. It’s often the little things that we forget about and that we take for granted. The fact is much of our life we take for granted, at least until we begin to lose it. At times, I’ve mentioned in funeral services how we have such full lives. Often though, as we age and our lives begin to shrink down until, in some cases, life consists of little more than a small room with a bed and a few possessions. Things can get pretty small and yet God is there, providing for our daily needs.
That’s why it’s good to pause at this time of year and take inventory of what you are thankful for. God’s provision makes our lives very full. As God’s people, one great blessing is the fact that we know the source of our abundance.
There are many in our world who have been truly blessed. They enjoy good health, wealth, family and more. Yet, they do not know God and do not give thanks to Him. How sad it is that they will one day have to leave all that God has given them and not enjoy the blessing of eternal life.
That’s the real blessing we ought to give thanks for. That God has made us His very own through the waters of Baptism. That He continues to keep and defend us in the faith. That He richly feeds our faith with His word and Sacrament, leading us to daily repentance and faith.
That He promises and assures us that, when this earthly life passes, we will be with Him in paradise. We are blessed to know God and to be His people. Give Thanks.
Life here in this world is filled with tremendous blessings, but it is also filled with sin and its effects. That makes life, this side of heaven, a mix of joys and sorrows for us. In the face of those sorrows, we have great hope. Hope that assures us we shall be with our Lord forever.
As we endure trials and tribulations, as we suffer the results of our own sin and the sins of the world, we know with certainty the hope that we have.
That gives us courage each day. No matter our circumstances or lot in life, we can live faithfully and boldly knowing that we are safely in God’s care. So, yes, give thanks this Thanksgiving.
From The Pulpit is a space reserved for Alger County faith leaders to express church events, happenings and more in the community. Congregations must be based in Alger County. To learn how to submit selections for From The Pulpit, email munisingbeacon@
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