A Time For Thanksgiving

Thank You Lord--The Happy Goodmans



In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the fourth Thursday in November as the day to be set aside to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving became a federal holiday that year.  Ever since then America has been celebrating Thanksgiving ever since. 

Psalms 50:14 says, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High."  Thanksgiving shouldn't be relegated to the fourth Thursday of every November.  Thanksgiving should be practiced and celebrated continually.  I'm thankful for the day that's set aside for that specific purpose, However, we need to always be in a state of thankfulness.  Psalms 116:2 says "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?"  With that question posed in this particular verse, the answer is giving thanks.  We should always remember God's goodness toward us.  When we read about the Pilgrims' first thanksgiving in 1621 which celebrated the first autumn harvest.  They didn't have the classic Thanksgiving dinner like we had.  They didn't own the nice luxuries we possess today.  There weren't any hotels to stay in.  There wasn't any heating or air conditioning to regulate the temperature.  They had sailed by boat to sail to America.  There were all kinds of sickness and deaths on the Mayflower.  However, they did offer thanksgiving unto God for what they had. 

If the Pilgrims were able to give thanks to God having just sailed to a "wilderness" in Massachusetts, how much more should we give thanks?  We have so much in the way of material goods and conveniences it's not even funny.  However, thanksgiving is what's in the heart.  You can be thankful regardless what state you're in.  The Bible says that whatever state we're in, we're to give thanks.  God's truly been good to us.  Let's not forget the goodness of God as we partake of the turkey and dressing, and all the trimmings that go with it this coming Thanksgiving day.  God has truly been good to us.