God has been so good to me, blessing me without measure and leading me into exciting directions! He’s at work in my life, and I am thankful for all that He’s done and continues to do. He’s strengthened me during tough times and helped me to get through them. He opens doors of opportunity and guides me through them. In short, His grace overflows in my life; I have gotten way more than I could ever deserve. Thank you, Lord Jesus!
This just calls for some songs of praise:
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…And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions — to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually — to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.
This is a portion from George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation. I know that Thanksgiving is over, but I think it’s important to note a few things.
First, the call to petition God to pardon our national and other transgressions. In my devotions for the mast several months, I’ve been going through the major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. One of the marking traits of these books are the continual words of judgement on many of the nations in that day. God was tired of all of their wicked deeds, and promised certain doom to them.
Looking back at our country, America has been immeasurably blessed, from the time of the first Pilgrims to now. Yet during that whole time, America as a country has accumulated a lot of dirt. Inconceivable national debt. Support of murder (abortion). Acceptance of immoral lifestyles (pre-marital relationships, homosexuality, etc.) and tolerances of all sorts of sin. Mistakes of its citizens and elected leaders in dealing with certain issues. I could go on, and I’m sure you could too.
The point is, once you read the issues God denounces the nations in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, it’s scary to find similar parallels to the present day circumstances. This is why it is ever so important to remember to continually pray for this country, that God would forgive our sins and mistakes and continue to allow us to exist as a semi-free and sovereign nation, with no further loss of freedom.
Second, Washington challenges us to ask God to help us “perform our… duties properly and punctually.” Amen! May God give each of us the strength, focus, and grace to do our jobs in an efficient and pleasing manner. Let us be industrious, and provide food for our families and strengthen our economy.
Third, let us join Washington in praying that our “national government [would be] a blessing to all the people,.. a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.” Freedom isn’t free, and it’s frequently abused and sneakily taken away. Moreover, it is good to pray that our leaders will make “wise, just and constitutional laws.” Too often, modern laws are thick stacks of paper which no one has read fully or really knows all that’s in them. Too often modern laws are made to make people “feel good” on the inside and win elections, while totally ignoring their constitutionality and the spirit of the founding fathers who drafted the constitution.
Finally, it is always good to take Scripture to heart:
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
As citizens of our earthly countries, it is our duty to keep our respective country in prayer. And let us look forward to that one final Country, the Country were all things will be set right.
This Thanksgiving, let us not forget to express our gratitude and thanksgiving for all that Christ has done in our lives. He has blessed each and everyone of us so much, far more than each of us ever deserves.
May you have a gracious Thanksgiving!
I am so thankful and grateful for those wise people in my life who guide me, give me sound advice, and support and encourage me along in life. Without them, how lost and troubled I would be!
Lord, thank you for all of the wise and experienced people that you have placed in my life. May I listen to their counsel and gain some of their wisdom myself. To You be all the glory, Amen.
Lord, I thank You that You transform our lives, and turn our wretchedness into a glorious representation of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Spiritual Reflections of a Growing Disciple & Willing Servant of Christ 