What do you count the most? Weird question, isn’t it? But think about it for a second. We count our money to be sure we have enough and often to calm ourselves down and give ourselves a sense of security. We count our vacation days and some of us do so while complaining we want more vacation. As kids, we counted the days to Christmas in eagerness to get our gifts. We count by comparing our salary or pension to that of others. We count our possessions and lust for more. We count how many times a person has offended or betrayed us. We easily remember the faults of others rather than easily forgiving them. We look at how much others in our family or our co-workers do and often think to ourselves that they could do more. We count everything in our situation and often are unsatisfied and complain. Thanksgiving Day is reminder of the way we should count our blessings. It’s a call to burst in joyful praise for all of God’s material and spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ. Let us replace our grumpy and sad spirit, with a spirit of thanksgiving and joy!
PSALM 136
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
For He sent His Son to take our sin away, abolish our death and give us life everlasting!
“Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever;”
For He sent us His Spirit to lead us in the truth, pulling us out of the kingdom of darkness and making Christ our loving King and Lord. We are not led away by the lies of the devil but illumined by the truth of His Holy Word.
“To Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever;”
For Christ is risen from the dead, and we were children of darkness. Death was our lot, but now we are children of Light that gives life from above by the forgiveness of our sins in Christ the “Sun” sent by the Father. We, who were not God’s people, now belong to Him and will take part in the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven.
“To Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for His steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever;”
For He made us, for we are His creatures. Give thanks! For He made everything, all things visible and invisible, and so all our material blessings are from Him. Let us bow down and worship the Lord our Maker.
“To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for His steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for His steadfast love endures forever; with
a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for His steadfast love endures forever;
“To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, for His steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for His steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who led His people through the wilderness, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who struck down great kings, fo rHis steadfast love endures forever; and killed mighty kings, for His steadfast love endures forever; Sihon king of the Amorites, for His steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for His steadfast love endures forever;”
Rejoice and give thanks! The Lord Jesus Christ descended into hell and struck down the spiritual Pharaoh and his army of demons! We were their slaves, being led into sin and death to be separated from God forever with all those remaining under their tyranny and in the slavery of sin. But we have been redeemed, pulled out of the devouring wolf’s jaws, and brought back home by our Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep for the one lost sheep of humankind. For He went to the Cross, died and rose again while taking us with Him in His loving arms and to grant us life forever in Him.
“And gave their land as a heritage, for His steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to Israel His servant, for His steadfast love endures forever. It is He who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever;”
For life everlasting is ours in Jesus!
“He who gives food to all flesh, for His steadfast love enfures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Give thanks this Thanksgiving for all the good food and all blessings and share with those who are hungry. Amen.
~ Pastor Jason