A Spirit of Thanksgiving

As we enter into the season of Thanksgiving, the world continues tottering near the brink.  A fragile cease-fire continues to hold along the Israeli-Gazan border; yet that cease-fire has brought the Netanyahu government to near collapse as one of the centerpieces of his coalition has walked away because of the cease-fire.  As of now, the Prime Minister holds a narrow one-seat majority within the Knesset.  It appears that many Israelis are becoming increasingly frustrated with the "on-again, off-again" mini-wars with Hamas.  They are wanting Israel to step in and create an atmosphere of security and safety.  Will special elections be called in Israel?  Is there anyone who has the political power that Prime Minister Netanyahu has and who will challenge him?  Stay tuned because this could get very interesting.


The devastation from the fires burning in California continues to escalate.  More bodies are discovered amidst the smoldering ruins of homes and automobiles.  And there yet remains a long listing of people who are unaccounted for.  The blame game has already begun as to who is responsible for these fires.  Governor Jerry Brown has declared that it is the consequence of climate change, or global warming.  We do know that California has experienced a series of devastating droughts in the past few years.  President Trump has stated that the fires are a result of poor forest management.  There is a powerful environmentalist movement in California that has greatly influenced laws governing the harvesting of trees.  It has become increasingly more difficult for logging companies to harvest those trees that are either dead or dying.  These unharvested trees create an ample fuel supply for wildfires, such as those we have witnessed these past months.  But, whatever the causes were, the suffering of those people whose lives have been impacted is very real.  Yes, homes and businesses can be rebuilt.  But how does a family rebuild those pictures and memories from the past?  How does one start all over again?  We do need to reach out and help them as best we can. 


And what about the economy?  It is certainly on a roller-coaster ride right now.  As a financial planner shared, "this is not for the faint at heart."  The bulls had a long run - one of the longest in history.  Is it time for the bears to have their say?  If so, how long with it last?  What will be the consequences?  How will the nervousness about the financial markets impact the upcoming holiday shopping season?  How will it impact year-end giving to nonprofits and local churches, most of which are dependent upon substantial year-end gifts?


Yet, Thursday is the day set aside as a day of Thanksgiving.  In spite of the problems that surround us, each of us could compose a long list of things for which we are grateful to God.  We might include on our list our families, our jobs, our friends, our health.  Each year I am challenged with the reading of Psalm 103.  There David composes his list of things for which he is eternally grateful to God.  Allow me to highlight just a few of them.


1.   "He forgives all my sins." - Topping David's list is that of God's forgiveness of his sins.  David will later say, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities" (vs. 10).  And he concludes with this amazing statement: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (vs. 12).  Oh how grateful I am that God still forgives  my sins.  Certainly that should be on my "thanksgiving list."


2.   "He heals all my diseases." - I find this very interesting.  Now I don't believe David had in mind those diseases that plague us because of the fallen world in which we live.  But David is referring to that greatest of diseases, that fatal disease we had known as "separation from God."  We call it salvation or "being born again."  David says, "he redeems my life from the pit."  What a gift we have received!  Yes, that most certainly should be on my "thanksgiving list."


3.  "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." - I am grateful for the Father's love for me.  I am grateful for those moments when He throws His arms around me and just hugs me tightly.  I am grateful for those moments when I feel His presence so very near and I hear His words of encouragement: "Max, I am right here!  Keep on going!"  That had better be on my "thanksgiving list."


Friends, there are many more suggestions for thanksgiving found within this amazing psalm.  I would strongly encourage you to spend some time these next couple of days prayerfully reading Psalm 103.  Make it your "thanksgiving prayer" to God.