In chapter 15 of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down and he took the loaves and fish and gave thanks. In chapter 26 Jesus took the cup and gave thanks. In chapter 27 of the Acts of the Apostles we find Paul on a ship wrecked by a storm floundering on the sea for 14 days. He took some bread, gave thanks to God in the presence of his shipmates, he broke it and began to eat.
November is the month set aside by our country for a day of thanksgiving. Our first president George Washington made a proclamation setting aside a day in November for the citizens of this country to "Unite in rendering unto our [God] our sincere and humble thanks-- for [God's] kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation."
Giving thanks.
In so many places in scripture we encounter the challenge to offer up our prayers of thanks to our God. And this challenge seems to come when times are the most difficult. It would seem that we are living in one of those 'most difficult' of times. Symbols of our nation are literally and figuratively being torn down, our rights under the constitution seem to becoming obsolete, and we have become polarized and look upon each other with fear instead of care.
In seems that it is time for us to give thanks to God, not for our sufferings, but for what God has provided for us. It seems it is time for us to open our eyes to the abundance of creation and the abundance of God's grace. To remind ourselves and the world that love and care for the neighbor are the way of peace and happiness.
It might seem like one is being Pollyanna, but when scripture seems to call over and over again for us to turn back to the way of the Lord, to pursue peace and justice, to love our neighbor, to give thanks for all God has given us, how can one ignore this call.
Psalm 26:7-8 - I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O LORD, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
Jeremiah 30:19- Out of them shall come thanksgiving, and the sound of merrymakers. I will make them many, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be disdained.
Jonah 2:8-9 - Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the LORD!"
Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
