Being thankful this Thanksgiving

Over the years one of my favorite passages to preach on is Psalm 23.  This famous psalm praises God for His direction and provision through difficult times.  The psalm begins, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  ³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  These verses reflect that God provides for our needs, as a shepherd provides for the needs his flock.  I remember in 1999 when I lived in Bonifay, Florida.  I was a student and had no job.  In fact the state paid me $12 a month to live in the Government Housing.  Ironically though, I never went without food to eat, gas in my car, electricity in my home.  God provided for me through the generosity of people, even complete strangers would help me without me asking them.  The lesson is that when we allow Him to, God will provide.

Recently, Simon, my oldest son, came running into our room late one night crying.  In a mostly sleepy voice, he was asked why he was crying.  His answer was the “bad guy” hiding in his closet scares him.  Of course, we got up and walked him back to his room and showed him that there was no bad guy in his closet or under his bed, and explained that because Mommy and Daddy were near he was safe.  After sitting with him for a few moments he drifted back to sleep confident that he was safe.

 “⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”  Many times we equate danger to mean physical harm.  Danger can be any situation that threatens us.  The loss of a job, the creditors calling, the car breaking down and ironically costing the same amount that is in the checking account.  Those are dangerous times, because they threaten us.  Just as the rod and staff of a shepherd defends and protects the sheep, because God is near, he will protect and defend us. 

Finally, “My cup runs over.  ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  Notice the last four words of verse five, “my cup runs over”.  If you were to look at your life you would see that out of life’s hardships many blessings have taken root and grown.  In my own life I see that I have been blessed beyond measure.  Since 1999 so much has changed.  The point is that if allowed, God will bless you.

This Thanksgiving I encourage you to reflect on these verses and to count your blessings.  You might be going through a rough time right now, but trust me, one day you will look back on this time, and you will see that you were really blessed more than you thought you were. Happy Thanksgiving and may God richly bless you and yours.