In these “post-modern,” even “post-Christian,” days, to whom do we give thanks? Hopefully, most reading this column will be Christians, followers of Jesus, “image-bearers,” born-again believers of the One who is the Way—the One Way. Those readers know to whom we give thanks.
But, to others, maybe some who read this, the rug may have been pulled out from under them—the rug of faith in God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit—by lies that have been spread by our enemy, who has used the temporary pleasure and temporary relief of sin, the distractions and cares of this life, and the secular culture and media to blind the eyes of people to the truth of God’s way of salvation. The tragic thing is that many young people have never lived with any other worldview than the one portrayed by television. They think that the liberal, godless, humanistic worldview is normal and that it must be the best way, since it feels good and since so many important people claim it is the way to live.
I remember reading a children’s book about Thanksgiving, in which the author left out the idea of thanking the God that the Pilgrims worshipped. The author claimed that the Pilgrims had a feast and that they thanked the Indians—period. I am sure these early settlers were thankful for the help the Indians had given them, but I am even more sure that these people—who had risked their lives to come to America for the sake of securing their freedom to worship God as they believed the Bible directed—were aware that it was God’s providence that caused the Indians to be there and to be friendly and helpful. They expressed their thanks to Him.
Some may offer their thanks to their parents and others who have blessed them in their lives, but they must realize that it is God, our heavenly Father, who by His grace and mercy, has given us those people. The enemy and his agents in this country have diligently worked to tear down any American cultural belief in God and His Word. Even if one still believes in God, most have been persuaded that it is wrong to be vocal about it, for fear of offending anyone of another faith.
The God of America, in which we live, blessed with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, is the God who is love. He doesn’t just love, but He is love. This Creator did not have to go to “Plan B” after the Fall of Man, because He had already provided the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world,” to carry out His first perfect plan. He created a world He knew He would have to re-create, just as He created a people who would become new creations in Christ Jesus, who would be born again, becoming those who would be transformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
Yes, there are people with other faiths in this country, but on Thanksgiving, in America, the God we are thanking must be the same God our forefathers thanked—the God who brought them safely to this country on a little ship called the Mayflower, and who saved a remnant alive through that first hard winter.
One of my daughters asked me to listen to a song that describes an idea that I wanted to mention here. “How Many Kings” is the song by Downhere’s Marc Martel. Just think of these lines! “How many kings stepped down from their thrones?...How many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that has torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only One did that for me!” That God, Jehovah of the Bible, is the God who gave His Son to die to take away the sins of the world. And that God, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, gives us His Holy Spirit, to enable us to become holy as God is, and to transform us into the image of Jesus, our Savior. We must not be ashamed to be vocal in our thanks to this God, who freely gives believers “all things pertaining to life and godliness.” (II Peter 1:3)
That God is the God who made America the greatest country in the world, even though school textbooks and liberal teachers have gone out of their way to influence children to believe that this country is not “exceptional,” but that capitalism and liberty are selfish and wrong. Some may not have been taught this, but America is the country that has been the most unselfish, that has given to needs of all kinds across this world.
Remember—God’s people have started hospitals, fire departments, orphanages, welfare and disaster relief ministries wherever they have been either welcome or have been able to sneak in to accomplish God’s benevolent will. I remember reading, years ago, of a missionary to another country, who tried to help a man who had fallen down a well. The missionary called for help, for a fire department with equipment, for someone who would care enough to try to help him rescue this man. He was told, according to the belief system of that country, that it must be the will of “God,” for the man to die that way.
In America, that would not be the case. It is not because of the goodness of our people. It is because God has influenced people in the past to believe that life is precious, people are valuable, made in the image of God, worthy of the death of His Son, and that we are to work to salvage every life we can, to give every person the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior and God as their Creator and Father, even the Holy Spirit as their Comforter and Guide.
I thank God for His Word that assures us in many places of His love and willingness to save us, from eternal damnation, but also from many tribulations of this world. I love Psalm 9:10, “Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”
I thank God for His Word that says in John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
Oh, dear Father, help us realize how much we need to thank You! For Your grace, Your love, Your mercy! God’s Word tells us, “…in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Th. 5:18) And, “…be filled with the Spirit…Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Live for Jesus! He’s coming soon!
You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
