As we mature in our spiritual walk with God, Thanksgiving Day takes on a whole new meaning. Have you watched a documentary of the Pilgrims, witnessing the heart-wrenching, tortuous, and sorrow-soaked voyage they had to endure? It inspires much awe and admiration.
William Bradford, the second governor of the Plymouth Colony, described the departure of the Pilgrims as they boarded the ship to the New World this way: “Truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting. To see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound among them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each heart...their Reverend Pastor, falling down on his knees, and they all with him..”
Those who know full well the anguish of living God’s truth amid paralyzing setbacks can commiserate with what the Pilgrims had to endure.
Having the freedom to worship God based on the truth of the Scriptures was what the Pilgrims risked their lives for, to follow the will of the Lord according to what the Bible says—not based on the capricious whims of the privileged few, whose flawed interpretations of Scriptures ran counter to God’s commands.
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Commemorating the Feast of the First Thanksgiving
Thus, in celebrating the feast of the first Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget those who have fallen during the night and those who survived, those who bravely looked death in the eye and forged ahead to follow where God led them.
The profound lessons they left behind are a gift to the world, to every believer— lessons that spark hope, faith, love, and resilience in all of us. They lived a life of eternal gratitude despite all odds, despite a stream of disappointments that may have drained their spirit but never extinguished the dream they set for themselves. A people whose very sacrifices led to the founding of America—a country that God has richly blessed as its constitution hinges upon biblical principles that trace back to the first pious settlers of the land.
“The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution are based upon the precepts of God’s Word. Without it there would have been no United States.” –Reverend Billy Graham
Nonetheless, as ungodly practices and diabolic views have taken root in the United States for the past decades, America has somewhat weakened its global standing. Don’t get me wrong, America is still the most powerful nation on earth, but it is quite evident that it has deteriorated from its glorious past.
Let us not discard what the Pilgrims and the founding fathers sacrificed their lives for to make America what it came to be—for the greatness of a nation always hinges upon the faithfulness and obedience of its people to Christ.
As such, this Thanksgiving Day, let us live the lessons learned from the Pilgrims, the Christian values they held dear and laid down their lives for. Let us bring God back into our lives, into our families, into our schools, into our government institutions—precisely as it was in the past.
In light of this, here are Bible verses you may want to share at the dinner table to remind you, your family, and your friends that God is good, regardless of our circumstances.
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1. Habakkuk 3:17
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls." Habakkuk 3:17 (NKJV)
The Pilgrims taught us that true worship and sincere gratitude reveal themselves in times of lack and adversity. They never lost faith despite the string of misfortunes they endured through their darkest seasons. Thus, when they felt they couldn’t trace God’s hand in their circumstances, they chose to trust His heart.
“When we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” —Charles Spurgeon
As such, the verse from Habbakuk can only resonate deeply for every true believer of God.
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2. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
People often view debilitating hardships and trials as evidence of God’s indifference and lack of compassion toward us. But by reading the personal accounts of God’s most beloved servants, like Abraham, Moses, David, and the Apostle Paul, we realize that suffering is strewn deeply into the life narratives of those whose love for God is unwavering. As such, let us not be disheartened or feel deserted by God whenever it feels like He isn’t working in our favor. When the going gets tough, we remind ourselves that even His most beloved went through hardships for a reason.
Our gratitude and thanksgiving must not cease even while suffering. It’s not easy, but it’s doable as can be proven by those whose lives were marred with hardships yet remained faithful and grateful to God.
I have always said that if there’s one biblical character I would love to meet, it would be David. Despite the severity of his sins, God still regarded him as a man after His own heart—and we can’t help but ask why. But reading the Psalms, we would realize why it is so. David was not only a man of humility, showing remorse when in the wrong, and glorifying God unabashedly in front of his people and his enemies—but also because his deep sense of gratitude towards God was legendary.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)
David's gratefulness to God never wavered in his darkest hours. Reading the Psalms, his pleas for help sometimes seemed unheeded and unheard, and yet, David would often end his prayers and pleas with heartfelt thanksgiving, worshiping the Lord even while bearing his anguish. What a faith!
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3. James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
This verse reminds us to seek God’s wisdom regarding the opportunities that come our way. Let us examine carefully if what we deem favorable circumstances came from God. If not, we must reject such an opportunity if it distracts us from the path God has laid out for us.
We can include this in our daily prayers: “ God, please enable me to only open those doors of opportunities that come from you, but may those of the enemy be shut forever.”
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4. Psalm 67:6
“Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us." Psalm 67:6 (KJV)
Let us not forget to thank God for all His blessings, knowing that everything we will ever have comes from Him. This Thanksgiving, after the meal has been prayed over, consider going around the table and having everyone share something they are thankful to God for.
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5. Revelation 14:15
"And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Revelation 14:15 (NKJV)
This Thanksgiving Day, let us remember to fulfill the great commission. We are duty-bound to spread the Good News of Christ's salvation to everyone—our family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.
God has given us the fruits of our hard work to sustain our every need throughout the year. As such, let us not forget to harvest souls for the Lord—to partake in expanding God’s kingdom here on earth.
A Thanksgiving Day Wish to You and Your Family:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Related Resource: How to Lead Thanksgiving Devotions with Your Family
If the trajectory of our country is going to change, it must begin with our hearts. America’s systemic problem is spiritual in nature; therefore, we must first steward our own hearts and the hearts of our families before speaking about changing the direction of our country; anything less is hypocritical. May God use the following thoughts to aid in crafting a special, constructive day centered on our love for Jesus. Let us give thanks for all He has done for us!
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Originally published Friday, 01 November 2024.
