Thanksgiving - Pt. 5

 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 ESV).

 

I am not unaware that today is Halloween. It might be a bit unexpected that I have used that theme for today’s devotional. I have in the past. You are certainly welcome to go to the website (www.gracerestoration.org) to search the archives for one of those if you’d like. Today I’m still in the mindset of our need to give thanks. If 2020 has reminded me of anything it is the ease with which I am able to give thanks in good circumstances and the difficulty to do the same in challenging circumstances. This year has forced me to call upon every ounce of patience I possess. I’m fairly certain you could say the same. And, yet, the Apostle Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (v. 18).

 

The Heidelberg Catechism says that belief in the providence of God makes it possible for us to be "thankful when things go well" and "patient when things go against us" (cf. Question/Answer #28). So sometimes we are thankful, and sometimes we are patient. That’s not really what Paul is saying. He says it is God's will for us to be thankful "in all circumstances."

 

Really? Well, it may help to note that Paul is not saying we should be thankful for all circumstances but in them. When things seem to go against us, I think God expects us to be grateful that his hand holds us and helps us to endure under the strain. That's a big challenge. Looking for reasons to be thankful when the going is tough. Sometimes it can be equally difficult for us to be thankful when things are going well. We might not think it would be that way. After all, when things go well, we have so much to be grateful for. But the very nature of human beings, even if we are Christian, is to overlook the crowd of God's good gifts to us every day. Let me suggest that today you sit still where you are and exercise the gift of noticing. Notice what you see, what you have, and who is with you. Notice the color, beauty, and variety around you. Keep noticing, and make a list of the gifts you notice. Then give thanks to God, the great giver!

Thanksgiving - Pt. 4

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 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; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; 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. (Psalm 136:1-9 ESV).

 

The little quote in the meme today has been attributed to Lewis Carroll.  There are similar exchanges between Alice and the White Rabbit, though this is not one of them. The sentiment is thought provoking, especially when we ponder the meaning of our reading today. Of course, we have experientially learned the meaning of this word depends on the context in which it occurs. Our culture, however, plays so fast and loose with this word that it becomes difficult to define what it means. Sometimes it can mean a time period stretching indefinitely into the future; and, in other contexts, characterized by unexpected and unwelcome waiting, “forever” has a subjective connotation that the wait will be endless. And sometimes, especially when listening to some preachers drone on, we are little surprised to find a distinct difference between what the speaker intends by “forever” and what the listener perceives as its meaning.

 

There are some clues in this psalm as to the meaning of the writer. If you read the entirety of the psalm you see the writer list numerous works of God on behalf of His people. At each one of these wondrous miracles the writers calls on his audience to remember them and then be prompted to thanksgiving. It is a means of recalling time qualitatively rather than quantitatively.

 

Perhaps I can illustrate that a bit better. You may recall that my new “toy” is a full-size wood lathe. I never owned one before now, and now that I do I wonder why in the world it took so long to get one. I find myself doing lots of things during the day. Most of them are relatively benign. These are tasks that simply need to be done – laundry, cooking, errands to the grocery store or pharmacy. I simply don’t measure how long they take in terms of minutes or hours. I just do them. There are other things I do, however, that are not particularly enjoyable. For example, when I spend an hour at the dentist, it seems like “forever”; and, when I spend an hour on the lathe creating the latest piece, that seems to rush by in moments. Here’s the point: when I remember all that God has done for me, it’s too easy to minimize the impact. Stop and let each memory pour thanksgiving into your heart and mind. The quantity of time is the same, but the quality is enormously greater!

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

 

Indeed, He is!

 

Thanksgiving - Pt. 3

 Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:1-6 ESV). 

 

This year has certainly been unusual. After Mary’s surgery in early March, we returned home from the hospital just as the news of Covid-19 began to dominate the media. We weren’t terribly concerned since we weren’t planning to travel outside of the house until her recuperation was complete. Who could have anticipated the panic buying at the grocery stores! A week or so passed and the news reported the empty shelves appearing in local stores. Bread, meat, and cleaning supplies were nearly impossible to get. Of course, my sons had already lectured me on the serious nature of the virus and how it would affect Mary and I with potentially deadly repercussions “because of our conditions.” It seems we are both “old” and “at risk with underlying health conditions.” I did take it seriously, if not for me then for Mary. After all she just went through a very serious surgery. Fortunately I learned how to use curbside pickup and had enormous help from the family. Oh, and I began to do other things, like baking our own bread. Funny how God always provides a way!

 

The last two verses of our reading today call us to be thankful for and content with everything we have. Our family, health, meals we can share with loved ones, and of course life itself. These all are precious gifts from the Lord. But discontent, greed, or fears don’t allow us to fully appreciate and treasure the precious gifts of life. The writer says: Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (vv. 5-6).

 

We don’t know what the future holds. We might have to go through even more difficult times of having empty shelves at the grocery store, or worse. But as the children of God we are assured of his continuous love and care. The Lord himself is our helper in this perilous life. Remember that this life is merely temporary. It prepares us for the glory of eternal life in a perfect place specifically designed by God for us. That’s worth being thankful!

 

Thanksgiving - Pt. 2

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! (1 Chronicles 16:8-13 ESV).

 

With today’s news reminding us of all the pain and challenge of the year by the minute, it is difficult to think about being thankful. However, thanksgiving should not be motivated by our circumstance. It is relationally based. That relationship is rooted in the extension of grace based in the work of Jesus in our redemption. There are many examples of this truth in the Scripture. In our reading today David wanted to tell everyone how great God is.  The occasion of bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem was no exception. David wanted everyone to join in the celebration of praise.

 

David’s psalm is long and rich. It sparks our praise for a wide variety of things. Let these things provide you with a reminder of the graciousness of our God. He reminds us of the wonderful acts of God on our behalf. He declares the holy name of God (vv. 9-10). He extols the immeasurable strength of God, “miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (v. 12). David goes on to say God “remembers his covenant forever” (v. 15). God protects his people, especially when we are vulnerable (vv. 19-22). And, if that were not enough to elicit our thanksgiving, he says that “splendor and majesty are before him, strength and joy are in his dwelling place” (v. 27). The families of all nations are then invited, even commanded, to give God “the glory due his name,” to bring an offering, and to worship him “in the splendor of his holiness.”

 

I am prompted to add a long list of things to this rich list of thanksgiving. I can think of the gracious manner in which God has dealt with me personally. I can think of the incredible gift of my family. Just to think of each of my sons and their spouses, with each of my grandchildren, it prompts me to acknowledge God with a thankful heart. That becomes a powerful testimony to the greatness of God!

 

David’s song closes with a prayer asking God to save. In what ways do you need saving? Jesus Christ reaches out his nail-scarred hands to deliver you from every circumstance of life. That alone can bring an eternity of thanks as you receive his amazing grace. I’m not sure what our “Thanksgiving” will look like this year. It may be very different from years past. I do know I have much to be thankful about. Focus on those things in your approach to this year’s holiday!

Thanksgiving - Pt. 1

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:32-37 ESV).

 

I am aware that this is still October and we are a month away from Thanksgiving. However, it seemed appropriate to do a few devotionals surrounding the theme of giving thanks and sharing our blessings with others. Let me begin at the beginning of our national holiday. The driving force behind making Thanksgiving a national holiday was Sarah Jospeh Hale, who was born in 1788 in Newport, New Hampshire. After her husband’s death, Hale turned to writing to generate money. Her novel Northwood: A Tale of New England (1827) included an entire chapter devoted to a Thanksgiving dinner. Its publication brought Hale fame, and she ended up as editor for Godey’s Lady’s Book, the most influential women’s magazine in the pre-Civil War era. For seventeen years Hale campaigned to proclaim the last Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day. Hale encouraged other magazines to join the quest of making Thanksgiving a national holiday, and many published Thanksgiving-related stories, poems, and illustrations. During the Civil War, Hale redoubled her efforts. A few months after the North’s military victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in the summer of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November a national day of thanksgiving. Every president since has proclaimed Thanksgiving Day a national holiday.

 

As you read today’s text and think about the stories and experiences of Thanksgiving, It seems impossible to conceive of a time with everyone agreeing and sharing all things in common. First, allow me to be quick to say that a desire for unity in our relationships does not mean everyone has to think exactly the same way. Abraham Lincoln was right when he observed, “When two people agree on everything, only one of them is thinking.” The believers were united in their thinking that none should do without what another could provide. There were no needy persons among them as they shared their possessions. But if we keep reading in Acts, we learn quickly that this way of living soon spoiled. We still struggle to agree with one another and to share from our material possessions.

 

We need to realize the impact we have on others when we disagree in such a disagreeable manner as we see today. It’s important to join fellow believers in making an impact in a world that sees Christians as anything but “one in heart and mind.” A place to begin is by heeding Jesus’ command that we love God and neighbor with heart, soul, and mind. Surely that is the principle that ought to guide our conversations and actions.

 

Seeing the Invisible

 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV).

 

Many of you have already dealt with an issue that I am just now beginning to personally experience. It seems I am developing a cataract in my right eye along with some vitreous separation of the gel on my retina. I am seeing a retina specialist and we are “watching” the development. At my last appointment I asked him why it seemed like I was always looking out of my right eye through a smidge on my glasses. He said, “Oh that’s nothing to worry about. You are developing cataracts.” When I asked him how that happened, he nonchalantly replied, “You got old.” Let you imagination go and you will have my thoughts at that response!

 

He did assure me that we can fix it. But, they like to wait until it is really necessary. Well, his definition of necessary and mine are somewhat at odds thus far! Wouldn’t it be great if we never had to worry about how well we can see? This is especially true with our spiritual lives. The writer of our reading today takes up that principle. He says, faith is not something we have to do to cause God to bless us. Faith is presented not as an effort but as an “assurance about what we do not see.” Through “eyes of faith” we can see something that was already there, whether we’d noticed it or not. It is the ability to see the invisible.

 

Mary and I have visited San Francisco several times. Since it is on the coast of northern California there is a lot of fog. When that happens, things seem to change quickly. San Francisco can suddenly vanish. In fact, drivers crossing the Golden Gate Bridge may start off with no visible proof that the other half of the bridge even exists. But people who live in this area have learned not to panic simply because they cannot see the whole bridge. People know the bridge is still there; it’s just hidden. Fog doesn’t change our landmarks; it changes our visibility of those landmarks.

 

With faith, the situation is similar: we have assurance of God’s trustworthiness that was there all along. There are days when God’s work can be clearly seen in our lives. But other days may not be like that at all. A fog of doubt or a haze of shame may creep in, and suddenly all the clear spiritual realities we have enjoyed can seem to vanish.

Having faith is often like squinting into fog. But that doesn’t mean the realities and trustworthiness of God are not there. Trusting Him is the key!

 

Whatever!

 

All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:23-31 ESV).

 

We’ve all heard it at one time or another. It is the slang use of “whatever.” According to WikiDictionary, whatever is a slang term meaning "whatever you say”, "I don't care what you say" or "what will be will be". The term is used either to dismiss a previous statement and express indifference or in affirmation of a previous statement as "whatever will be will be". It’s usually accompanied by the roll of the eyes and a smirk. I’m not a fan, especially when it is the response of a child who has decided that my instructions are not worth their time or compliance. And, my response is usually direct and pointed.

 

In our reading today we see the Apostle Paul use this word in a different context. In his discussion on Christian freedom, the apostle Paul touches on some important principles for following Jesus. While emphasizing our personal freedom in Christ, he urges that we respect where others are in their spiritual maturity. Embedded in this discussion is the most important principle for Christian living: in everything we do, we are to live for God’s glory. “Whatever” we do, it should be done bringing glory to God.

 

The Westminster Shorter Cate­chism lays out this lasting principle using the question “What is the chief end of man?” And it answers with a timeless, bedrock declaration: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Though we have all been created to glorify God, because of our sin and rebellion against him we live only to glorify and enjoy ourselves. And the ­tyranny of self-glorification brings us no enjoyment, just unending misery. But, praise God, when we’ve been saved by grace through faith, the Holy Spirit begins to reorient our lives, nudging, prompting, stirring us to live not for ourselves but for God. And as we grow in glorifying our Lord and Savior, we discover our true, lasting joy and purpose in God alone.

 

So… whatever you do today—from the most mundane chore to making the most weighty decision—do it all for God’s glory.