A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. —Cicero
Psalm 100:4 “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.” —King David
G od had us in mind, also, when this Psalm was written. But it doesn’t take very long to realize that the people of Israel needed a reminder, and I am afraid that we need it, too. Has it ever occurred to you that no Americans were more underprivileged than that small handful from the Mayflower who started the custom of setting aside a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God?
Most blessings are taken for granted. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the six million who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, imprisonment, torture, or starvation…you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death…you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace…you are among the top 8% of the worlds’ wealthy. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Like you, I’m sure the things I would also include would be family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. Let’s be grateful and thankful this holiday season and not only this season but throughout the year for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.
Pastors Ben and Wanda Anderson
November, 2013