"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.No Americans have been more impoverished than these
who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
- H. U. Westermayer
"When you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days ... and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days... It shall be a statute forever in your generations."
~ Leviticus 23:39-41 (NKJV)
After the harvest, during the weeklong Feast of Ingathering (also called "Tabernacles" or "Sukkot"), the Israelites weren't compelled to give thanks. Perhaps the Lord simply set the stage with the intention that the people would spontaneously give thanks if given opportunity.
Our nation has officially declared a day for giving thanks, which has become an annual four-day holiday. Our founders haven't compelled us to give thanks, but simply provided the opportunity with the intent that we do so, and thereby procure continued blessing.
Amid the feasting and football and shopping—amid suffering and adversity and remembrance of deceased loved ones—may we remember with thanks the Giver of all our blessings. May this be an occasion to refresh the frequency and manner with which we thank our generous God.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
~ Psalms 107:15 / :21 / :31 (NKJV)
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Artwork image, "First Thanksgiving" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)
source: commons.wikimedia.org
Image source for cornucopia unavailable
Filled with thanksgiving for you ... and the words of life that you share.
ReplyDeleteLove how you said we haven't been compelled, but we are given the opportunity to give thanks. God does the same for us every day as we look at the blessings, look at His creation, look at His provision... Beautiful. Thank you, Anne and I am thankful for you.
ReplyDeleteSusan ~
ReplyDeleteI'm most grateful for you. You likwise bring life, whether with the pictures of many words accompanied by the few words of your own, or by your encouraging comments here.
Jason ~
ReplyDeleteI marvel that a God with the power of ours does not compel of us what He might. He desires it as a free gift, even as His salvation is. How have we captured His heart that He might bless us in such a way?
I'm thankful for you, Jason. I look forward to the day when fellowship with online Christian family becomes face to face. : )
" ... seven times more graves than huts."
ReplyDeleteAnd still able to give thanks, still able to start this thanks-tradition. Powerful, Anne...
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Anne!!! You deserve it. =)
ReplyDeleteJennifer ~
ReplyDeletePerhaps the more closely one lives to the land, the more grateful one is to God for making the land fruitful. And does anything make us love life more than walking through the shadow of death?
T ~
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderfully busy day. Breakfast at church, accompained by testimonies of thanks. Lunch doing ministry at the jail. Dinner at home with family. I wouldn't have planned it any other way.