“It is good to give thanks to the Lord to sing praises to the Most High.”
(Psalm 92:1 NLT)
We might note the musician’s scribbles above this psalm – ‘a song to be sung on sabbath day’. This scripture was written as lyrics: a hymn of thanksgiving for a set aside day. My friend, I hope you are still holding Sabbath. I pray that you’ve agreed with scripture, that your lived-out obedience is one set aside day each week. This day is sacred: a purposeful rest with reflection and gratitude glancing back, with hope and trust looking ahead.
In Texas, thanksgiving takes over an entire week. Schools close and people gather and give thanks any time from Sunday to Sunday, with tamales and turkey and any other manner of deliciousness. In fact, some folks believe the very first thanksgiving was held in the Texas panhandle, a good twenty years before the fine folks held a feast in Plymouth County. A little historical digging will reveal that when the nation couldn’t make up it’s mind about which Thursday in November to nationally observe the holiday, Texas went ahead and took both Thursdays to trim their turkeys and get together for gratitude.
I guess I’m glad I’m a Texan this year. Thanksgiving feels so important in 2020. After two canceled trip attempts, I’ve got a slew of vacation days left to burn so I’ve taken most of this week off for rest and reflection, lots of time to love on my family and fix food for them. Like the original pilgrims, I’m looking back at the year, incredibly grateful that we’ve made it this far, and truly even thankful for the events that led us up to this point. I see the hand of God in our story. I’m convinced of His goodness. He’s sustained us and that is more than enough reason to take a break and give thanks. I’m more convinced than ever, gratitude is the way we move forward; as a family, as a nation, as a global people – not demands or divisions. Gratitude recognizes God at work in our circumstances, credits Him for His glorious contributions and especially His grace for our insolence.
Please find some time this week and press ‘pause’. Say thanks and push into the presence of God: gratitude will settle you into the throne room where you can gain solid perspective on the current situation. Look together over your story and let Him know you see His fingerprints on every page. Ask Him for the courage and grace to face tomorrow. He’s ready to meet you there.
“What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to You, the High God! To announce Your love each daybreak, sing Your faithful presence all through the night,” (Psalm 92:1-2 MSG)
Lord, thank You for a day or a week set aside to give thanks. We tend to this holy task with our whole hearts. You have sustained us in 2020. You have seen us through a hard year. We are grateful for Your goodness to us and we look forward with great trust. Unite us again, tie us together with deep appreciation for Your intervention in our circumstance. We love You. Amen.