“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
test my heart and my mind. for Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I
have walked in Your truth [faithfully]. I
do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders; I hate the company
of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may make the voice of thanksgiving
heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works.” Psalm 26:2-7
AMP
Yes,
this is the time of the year that our thoughts turn toward visiting family,
having a delicious meal with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. We traditionally recollect the story of
thanksgiving: the Wampanoag
Indians brought the berries and game, the Pilgrims brought vegetables and
desserts. They joined together in what
would probably be the last true show of friendship between the two races for
more than one hundred years. The Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrims gave thanks
for their harvest and new friends.
I
urge you, brothers and sisters in the Lord, as you enjoy happy times with
friends and family this Thursday to also take time to get quietly before the
Lord and thank Him for it all. For
without Him you truly are nothing and would have nothing (John 15:5). Express your love and adoration to Him NOT
for what He has done for you but for Who He IS (Psalm 68:35), and tell Him how
grateful you are for all He has done for you (Ephesians 5:20).
I
guess Colossians 3 exemplifies this season best:
“And above all these [put on] love
and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything
together completely in ideal harmony]. And
let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire
continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions
that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of
Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians
3:14-16 AMP