“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)
As we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, many who in live in America may wonder what is there to be thankful for, and even to whom should we give thanks. Because of the latest controversy over war in the Middle East, racism, climate change, gender rights, many may see little or nothing to give thanks for. They feel no reason to no one should be feasting or giving thanks while people are terrorized or oppressed.
As for whom to give thanks, many may thank the gods they worship all of which are demons which come in many forms, most frequently the god of self with its attitude of pride and self-reliance. Thanks given to such is worthless and misguided.
Those who believe in Jesus, on the other hand, should be giving thanks to the Triune God who has revealed Himself through His word and through Jesus our Lord and Savior. We thank God for all we have for He has given all to us. And we thank Him especially for eternal life we have by faith in and through Jesus.
The Lord warned the Israelites in the Book of Deuteronomy that as they took up residence in Canaan they were in danger of abandoning Him. God promised to bless them in the land and provide for them in abundance just as He had done in the wilderness. However such prosperity would breed complacency as the people relaxed and felt at ease in the land. Then they would tend to be filled with an attitude of self-reliance. They would forget that all they possessed was given them by God, even their talents. They would begin to think they alone were their own responsible for their riches and success.
The remedy to this delusion was to constantly remember that the Lord was responsible for all they had and to thank Him. The community as a whole and the religious leaders had a responsibility to keep the truth always before their eyes, to hold each other in mutual accountability.
We in the Church have the same responsibility. Therefore, we must not adopt the ways of the people of the world and emulate celebrities, political leaders, the movers and the shakers and all those who and seek praise and recognition for their accomplishments, deeds, talents, and riches as if they were responsible for these. We must never forget to remember that the blessings and talents that we have are all given to us by God. We must never become so self-centered and proud that we forget to thank Him. And we must remind the world that the one to thank is Jesus. And we do so by sharing His word and love with all.