America's Day of Thanking God

It's Thanksgiving.

Today Americans pause to thank God, to give thanks for HIS provision and blessing. We do this every year on the 4th Thursday in November.

When the pilgrims' Mayflower crossed the Atlantic in 1620 they experience two months of extreme difficulty. Terrible storms kept them below deck, so they comforted themselves by singing psalms in the cargo hold. They reached Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620, after a voyage of 66 days. Nearly 4 dozen pilgrims died the first winter. All might have perished had Squanto not taught them to survive by growing food. 

A severe drought in 1621 prompted the pilgrims to declare a day of fasting and prayer. They asked God for a bountiful harvest. Apparently, it rained that very day and the drought ended, saving their crops. 

In the autumn of 1621 the pilgrims organized a celebration to thank God for HIS favor and provision. That communal festivity has become written into America's tradition as "The First Thanksgiving Feast." There is little evidence that meal included the customary turkey, but it did include venison...which makes me very happy.

On that bit of news, let me suggest this day has less to do with "what" you eat, and more to do with "whom" you're eating. Whether it's turkey, venison, pizza or Krispy Kreme donuts, enjoy your meal and remember you're dining with family and friends in the presence of Almighty God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Savior of the world and the Source of all blessing and provision in this life and the next.

It is right to give thanks. 

Never forget the ONE who made a way for all of us.

Psalm 95:1-3  

 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; 
   let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before him with thanksgiving 
   and extol him with music and song.

 For the LORD is the great God, 
   the great King above all gods.