Intro: On my walk with Gracie after breakfast, yesterday, I enjoyed more of the beauty of God’s creation; each step led us to another place of awareness. We carefully walked by a beautiful river’s edge; the sun was dancing on the surface and life filled the water [fish, snakes, and alligators…oh my!]. We listened to the gentle breeze blow through the trees and we stopped to hear a variety of birds sing as they gathered food. One of the birds was a percussionist; a woodpecker rhythmically discovering new bugs. Amazingly, it was all working together for the glory of Creator God. During the whole walk, I thought about how each creature was living to the blessing and movement of God’s Word to be fruitful and fill the earth; God saw what he had created was good [Gen 1:20-23]. I noticed it, too.
Today is Thanksgiving Day—a national holiday to be thankful for the year’s harvest and the many blessings we have experienced. In the Bible, thanksgiving is humanity’s response to God’s goodness and grace with gratitude; we acknowledge the lovingkindness of the Giver—the Lord. Our thankful hearts are pleasing to God, because it develops our trust in his provision. With thanksgiving, we present our requests to God and the peace of Christ guards our hearts. When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, thankfulness becomes our lifestyle and we mature in Christ’s attitude. Gratitude to the Father should flow like a River from our lips every day.
In our passage today, we are reminded to trust God for his care and provision in our lives; all of creation lives according to his rule. God takes care of creation—his birds—so assuredly he will take care of his humans, too. Our part is to seek his Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy and to pray for the Kingdom realm of God. “Don’t worry about a thing; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” [Phil 4:6]. The Giver is Good and there is no need to worry. Thank you, Abba!
Matthew 6:25-33 (NLT) Don’t Worry
25 “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing?
26 “Consider the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? 27 So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?
28 “And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil, 29 and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty like one of these! 30 So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t he provide for you the clothes you need—you of little faith?
31 “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?
33 “So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings you continually pour into my life and the lives of my loved ones. Your amazing goodness just spills over our lives. We trust you to take care of us as we pray for the manifestation of your Kingdom on earth. May believers across the globe express abundant thanksgiving, today and every day, for the glory of your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving! Love you all! May God continue to bless you and keep you in his loving care!
…and just for giggles:
“May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!”
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