Devotional Guide
For the week of November 20, 2005
THE PILGRIMAGE TO AMERICA
How Thanksgiving is Godıs will
To Read: Psalms 96-98
To Know:
³At that time Jesus declared, I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding
and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.ı²
(Matt. 11:25,26)
The Chinese proverb warns, ³Prophesy is very difficult especially as it
concerns the future.² What does the future hold for the United States of
America? Are there signs in the present that permit us to see into the
future? Will our military strength or economic potential dictate our future?
Perhaps the moral fiber and integrity of the American people are a window to
let us see down the road ahead.
We will necessarily become the person we have permitted ourselves to be. We
are a permissive society that suspends all judgment. Can we do such a thing
with impunity? Will we be the first society to permit everyone to do what is
right in his or her own eyes without suffering the consequence? Christians
believe thankfulness is the
sign of things to come.
This world is directed by the will of God. We pray for guidance. Godıs will
is both individual and corporate. Writing to the Ephesians Paul said,
³Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord
isalways and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God the Father.² (5:17,20) The will of God is to be thankful for
everything because Christ is directing history to its appointed end. To the
Thessalonians Paul wrote, ³Give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.² (5:18)
Thanksgiving is Godıs will for his children. A nation with a thankful spirit
will be a force for good in the world. The decision to establish a day for
the nation to give thanks is a powerful antidote for the gravitational pull
in our spirits toward complaining. A complaining spirit is death dealing.
American politics has become an exercise in complaining. This does not bode
well for the future of our people. To be truly thankful the Lord must first
open our eyes to see his eternal goodness.
11245$-11245
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