How different it must be today than it was when the Pilgrims first gave thanks to God for their survival! Would they see any similarity to the spirit of present day observance with the way it was back then?
Modern day thanksgiving is hardly about survival, but more about feasting, family, and football. It is not about people clinging to and nurturing one another, for the most part, but often about people temporarily laying aside their petty differences and ‘sacrificing’ their own plans to get together and get along for a few hours at best. I’m sure each of you could relate experiences that you know of that tell the story of how different our thanksgiving holiday is now, from the way it was in the beginning.
From God’s point of view, Thanksgiving Day, no doubt, is quite different now than it was with the Pilgrims. Then, God heard utterances from the depths of human hearts, who had lost many friends and family members due to the rigors of their pilgrim life, but who were profoundly grateful for God’s providence and care in having spared them. They felt they owed God everything. Today, while there are some who lift up praises to God, there may be many or more who regard not God.
God has a message for those lifting up their hearts and voices to Him today: “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalm 50:14-15 As we see so much changing around us, so much indifference to God, God’s challenge to us is to remain unchanged and to rather draw closer unto Him. “PAY THY VOWS UNTO HIM.” Every Christian can remember the awakenings and impressions of God’s Word, compelling them to take up their cross and follow Him, by faith in God’s will and way. But have any let these things slip unto going one’s own will and way? To abandon God’s call, will result in God not answering our call. DO NOT ERR!
God is still Sovereign over all the universe! He is still the God of His Word, the God of righteousness and the God of judgment. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to Him! God also has a message for those who acknowledge Him not: “But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” Psalm 50:16,17,21
Are you prepared to meet God? It is not a question of “if,” but just a question of “when.” “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.”
SHARING
