“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
