Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays, is right around the corner. I love that our nation still celebrates this holiday recognizing the great blessings and provision from the hands of God. To me it seems like our politically correct view that has been trying to snuff out all things holy and connected to God or the Bible hasn't really messed with Thanksgiving for some reason. Strange. But I am so happy and thankful that this very important focus for a national holiday is still intact.

In my last post, Following Instructions, I began to explain the verse that follows. I laid out the rules and regulations put into place, directly by God, on how to go about re-locating the Ark of the Covenant. The second part of this verse is dedicated to the worship processional involved in transferring the holy chest to a new home - - "to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel".

"He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel" 1 Chronicles 16:4

Interestingly, these three actions are also the three main types of psalms: (1) lament and/or petition, (2) thanksgiving and (3) praise. I love the book of Psalms! The poetry, the raw feelings revealed by the writers, the potential for great worship, the heartfelt gratitude to God for deliverance and grace, the pure honesty of repentance... it's all in there. So comforting. So powerful. My mom's favorite verses from the Bible comes directly from the psalms... Psalm 23.... you know... "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...."

Here's a few tid bits about psalms:  The book of Psalms is the longest book of the Bible with 150 chapters. The name Psalms is derived from the Septuagint title for the book, Psalmoi. Psalmoi is the plural of psalmos, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word mizmor, meaning "song." The Hebrew title for the book is tehillim, the plural of tehillah, meaning "song of praise."

I love music! I'm not a musician by nature. I have tried to play and sing. Mediocre at best. But I love, love, LOVE to listen to music. Contemporary Christian is my most favorite genre for sure. There is just something about music that speaks directly to your soul. You can be rock solid fine and a song comes on and instantly you are in a different place... many times I become a puddle of tears with goose bumps all over my body. I feel it connects my spirit directly to God's and I can right then and there be in His holy presence. Psalms are songs. Songs of praise and thanksgiving. In our theme verse this time King David is directing his people to give God the praise and thanks He is due.

DaySpring Devotions sent me this story of the history of Thanksgiving. I really like the words from our great president, Abraham Lincoln. You see... this wonderful holiday had it's beginnings with giving credit where credit is due... to God, the Ruler of the Universe, for His goodness.

After enduring religious persecution in their native England and for twelve years in Holland, the pilgrims sailed for America. They were modest men and women with a great hope and inward zeal. They rested in the providence of God that He was leading them to a land of religious freedom to advance the gospel of the kingdom of Christ.

The voyage of the Mayflower took twice as long as Christopher Columbus' voyage, enduring several wintry storms. After arriving in their new land, they faced disease, famine, bitter cold and many dangers. However, when the Mayflower made its return voyage, none of the pilgrims returned with it.

Their first harvest occurred in the autumn of 1621. Their own seed had barely grown, but the Indians had shown them how to plant corn which yielded a huge harvest. On the first Thanksgiving, they celebrated God's goodness to them with a party of ninety Indians. Their Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and included a festival of sports.

Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln

"Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on the occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations."

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving... be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

In the next few days, as you prepare your heart, your home and your stomach for Thanksgiving, remember to include God. Take some time to think and reflect on the last year and the blessings you have received. Consider the large and small details of God's hand at work in your life... and bless our Almighty Father with thanksgiving and praise for the things He has done.

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things" Isaiah 25:1

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b