THANKSGIVING

 

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States - a special day when we celebrate the beginnings of this great country, the day the Pilgrims set aside to give thanks to God for all He had done for them during their difficult time.  With apologies to those readers who live around the world, please allow me to focus this day on this country that is my home.  Much of what I need to say will apply worldwide, so read on�?/SPAN>

 

We are in the midst of a difficult time in this country �?a time that can be terrifying at worst and unsettling at best.  Five years ago, our country was attacked �?right here on our own soil �?something that had never happened before on such a scale.  Over three thousand innocent people died, and each of us was left with the realization that our world �?not just our country - had changed forever.  Today, our young men and women are putting their lives on the line for freedom once again, having liberated a country from a madman’s rule, and now working diligently to keep that country free from the remnant there who want see it once again enslaved to terror.  Since that horrifying day in September, 2001, hardly a week has passed without someone, somewhere, being killed by yet another suicide/homicide bomber in Israel or Iraq or Turkey or England or Indonesia or France or any other of a long list of places where terrorists have left their evil mark.  We are almost daily reminded that the terrorists are out there �?somewhere �?planning yet another horrific attack on our country.  It’s just a matter of time�?/SPAN>

 

And, as if terrorism weren’t enough to deal with, the world has been bombarded with natural disasters in a magnitude that news commentators have grown fond of calling “biblical proportions.�?nbsp; Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and the tsunami have taken an almost unimaginable toll of lives and property �?far beyond anything we’ve ever seen before.  Very few lives have gone untouched by either the ravages of nature or the abominable actions of evil men and women.

 

In the midst of all that turmoil, confusion and fear, bright lights began to shine �?some that we’d never seen before, and others that we had not seen in a very long time.  Patriotism in this country was at an all-time high, with our flag flying everywhere �?even in other countries!  News commentators unabashedly announced that they were Christians �?a message that was broadcast throughout the world.  And God’s name was repeatedly proclaimed �?on billboards, t-shirts, cars �?everywhere!  Things like race, color, and gender didn’t seem to matter any more to most people �?because we had drawn together in unity against our foes.  Heroes emerged from unlikely places �?like the man who carried a stranger down so many flights of smoke-filled stairs in the World Trade Center rather than see her stranded to die�?the day care workers who got ALL the children out and to safety�?the firefighters who selflessly lost their lives in their attempt to save others�?the passengers on United 93 who fought the terrorists rather than allow them to destroy anything else in Washington�?the passengers and flight attendant who took the shoe bomber down rather than let him blow up their airplane�?the truckers who boxed the serial snipers in so they couldn’t escape before authorities got there to arrest them�?the thousands who rallied to help those whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita�?and the many who, even now, continue to travel thousands of miles just to help out in areas devastated by the tsunami. 

 

Today, no matter where you live, take a few moments to reflect on what is happening �?not only in the United States, but all around the world - and to consider all the many things we all need to be thankful for �?especially in times like these�?

 

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High."  Psalm 7:17

 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:7

 

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."  Psalm 30:11-12

 

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.  In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.  The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are people of His pasture, the flock under His care."  Psalm 95:1-7

 

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."  Psalm 100:4-5

 

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:56-57

 

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him."  2 Corinthians 2:14

 

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (grace)!"  2 Corinthians 9:15

 

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of God because of you?"  1 Thessalonians 3:9

 

(All quotes from the NIV)

 

Make a list today of all the things for which you have to be thankful.  You'll be amazed at how long it is!