It was a treat to awaken this Thanksgiving morning to a dusting of snow on the ground. This may be my favorite holiday and my favorite season of the year. Many of the reasons are purely personal, even selfish. They revolve around what makes me feel good. A warm home, great food, time off, loving family, good friends, and lots of football in HD.This holiday/sabbath, however, is not about me only. It is about the God to whom all thanks and praise is due. I paused for a moment this morning to read the last five psalms (146-150) thoughtfully. The psalmist is not named. What is important is that God is named, and described, and honored. He is the focus of the celebration.
More than anything, during this season of the year, I ask for God to grow in me a grateful heart. I am to be grateful because He is full of greatness. His majesty and splendor reverberate throughout creation, and it permeates my life.
The last couple of years have been rather difficult in life and ministry. Even now there are some heavy thoughts weighing on my mind. But I can still be thankful because underneath everything a mighty Hand holds it all together.
Psalm 46 (English Standard Version)
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.Selah
2 comments:
amen. I too find it incredibly easy to become self absorbed on thanksgiving. Thanks for the post.
Dave,
I too, like Aaron, am thankful to you for reminding me of my potential to fall into the self-absorbtion trap, especially during the "holiday season"> Hopefully this reminder will help me to minimize my potential in this area. I did try to be more mindful of God, and His provision and Love for me and my family on Thanksgiving. I am truly thankful for His provision!
If I'm really true with myself, I can see that, despite all my whining to the contrary, I AM better off this year than last in so many ways. And ALL those improvements in my status have come from the Lord. (even though I certainly don't deserve it)
When we are instructed to "give thanks with a grateful heart", it is a reminder to me not to just give thanks as lip service, but to REALLY mean it. Whether I'm thanking some person, or the Lord of the universe.
None of us can ever hope to repay what God has done for us as a species or as individuals. But I believe if we worship, give thanks, trust, and obey in "spirit and in truth", we will be pleaseg to our Father.
Thanks again Dave for all you do.
Eric
BTW: got anything more on the two trees?
Post a Comment