- I love the Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It’s author, Thomas Ken, an Anglican Bishop’s story, is fitting for our time. https://believersportal.com/story-behind-doxology-hymn/
Thanksgiving 2021
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Thought for Today
As we cleaned up from our Thanksgiving celebration, such as it was in these trying times, I was struck by how different things were this year. In the past, I have viewed Thanksgiving as a day to remember the great blessings, provisions, and comforts that I had enjoyed from God in the year gone by, lest I take those blessings for granted. This year connected me much more to the original intention of Thanksgiving in our nation’s history. Before it was an annual holiday, thanksgivings were always celebrated at the tail-end of great trials and tragedies. The Plymouth Rock pilgrims celebrated God’s goodness at the end of a winter that claimed the lives of 60% of the people in their community. Washington and Lincoln called for national days of Thanksgiving at the end of great and tragic wars, where everyone knew someone who had given their lives. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, I find I have many reasons to be frustrated and distressed. Our lives have been turned upside down. We are disconnected from our loved ones. People are struggling to survive economically. Everyone has been either infected or affected by COVID. It is exactly for these times that we have a day of Thanksgiving. We need to be reminded of all of God’s blessings and gifts during all these trials. This is why every Sunday is intended to be a little Thanksgiving. We enter His gates with thanksgiving! In His presence we can leave behind our fears and frustrations and find our faith and hope in God and His promises renewed. With our eyes fixed firmly on Him, we reenter our world as light in the midst of the darkness and joy in the midst of the struggle. Fill this weekend with all the reasons you have to be thankful. These times are exactly why we pause, reflect, and give thanks to the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You for all Your blessings. I am especially thankful for ______________. Help me to always remember the blessings I have to be thankful for.
Devotional Quote
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. — Meister Eckhart
Quote of the Day
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. – Alphonse Karr