Most of us remember Thanksgiving at grandmother’s house, the family clan gathered together, and turkey with all the trimmings. At public school we learned how the Pilgrims came to America, how their Indian neighbors helped them survive, and how, after a bountiful harvest, they shared a thanksgiving feast with these same neighbors. They gave thanks to the God of the Bible, whom they often called Providence, for every blessing. These pious Pilgrims practiced the admonition of James when he wrote, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).”
They believed and understood that the God of Heaven is the father of all lights, spiritual, as well as physical. As a people of the Book, whether Catholic, Protestant, or Jew: they were grateful for the Scriptures. Individually as well as collectively, they recognized with the Psalmist, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105).” Although too many Believers no longer believe in the Bible, the Bible still remains the Book through which He reveals to mankind His Righteousness. As Paul states, concerning the Gospel, "therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
As Americans we need to return to the faith of our fathers. We need to return to our faith in God, as the provider of every blessing. We need to return to our faith in Jesus as His only begotten Son. We need to return to our faith in His Book, the Bible, as the only revelation of His will in the 21st century. As Americans we need to thank God for America as it was and as it can be. We need to continually count our blessings.
We, as Americans, must not stand by and let the Atheists and Agnostics of a perverted culture drive the God of Heaven from our shores. Let us continue to sing "God Bless America” and "My Country ‘Tis of Thee Sweet Land of Liberty” with all our hearts. Let us restore the faith of our fathers by regular church attendance (Hebrews 10:25) with those of like precious faith. Let us give as the Lord has prospered us (1 Corinthians 16:2), that His church might become a stronger force for righteousness in a wicked and perverse generation. Let us enter in by the narrow gate and walk in the straight way that leads to eternal life. Let us abandon the freeway of life that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Let us thank Him on this national holiday for His blessings - and continue to thank Him each and every day.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK
