Happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2024

Today, my thoughts went to how, in my prayers, I can say thanks and just say I praise thee, God. At times the words just roll out automatically (...vain repetitions). Psalm 100:4 thoughts about entering "...into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

Remembering my thoughts this time of year in 2021 when I needed surgery for a pacemaker implant and was facing thoughts of my mortality, providing for my family, and depression with no hope for any better life in this world. I had been praying for a month over what to do when God placed Psalm 100:4 in front of me. It was then that I decided to focus on all the blessings God had already given me instead of the coming physical trials. I wanted to praise God in his courts, which I took to mean trials in my life, rather than questioning him. I wanted to be thankful for all the blessings he had already given me. As I went through this period of a couple of years in his courts and failing miserably, I now feel God has shown me a whole new meaning to "praise him" and give thanks.

I have found in my life that I have been more thankful for physical outcomes. I looked for results that would make life easier. I wanted to see the lions not devouring me. It is a natural part of our flesh to want and pray for. I need to focus on God's presence in my life. Yes, I still want to see the lions not devouring me, but more than that, I want to see and feel God's presence in my life. Believers can become weary; believers can need what David asked for in Psalm 51:12, "... restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." When I am on that road to Emmaus in my life, with no hope of salvation from physical health or circumstances, I want to hear God saying through His spirit, "...I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee ..." (Isaiah 41:10). I want Jesus to open my understanding of scriptures. The disciples on this road looked for physical salvation from the Roman occupation. That moment when Christ opened their understanding of scripture brought joy and excitement, restoring their hope. When I look for physical salvation, I want to remember the road to Emmaus, where true salvation was shown.

On the road to Emmaus, the disciples rushed back to tell the others that Jesus was resurrected after he opened their understanding of the scriptures. I don't want to minimize God's actions and miracles in my life. I don't want to reason anything other than that God was with me. Daniel gave glory to God, not to the lions or the fire. As I go through trials, I have to ask myself, am I too focused on the trial? Am I serving my flesh, justifying results as if somehow I did something to deserve God's intervention? I need to be aware that it is not a physical world outcome to put my hope in. There will be times in life when we don't get good physical outcomes. Will I be as thankful then? In the lions' den of my life, I am truly thankful God is with me. With the recent news of heart recovery, I am thankful for heart physical recovery, but my joy lies in the blessings of God being with me, opening my understanding. What a journey it has been.

On this Psalm 100:4 journey, God has taught me a new aspect of praising Him. Many times, almost all the time, the word praise rolls out of my mouth as words... in vain. God walked with me through the valley, and this word of praise changed for me. I praise God in these valleys when I do His will when it goes against the world's will. When others see us doing His will... while in the fire... while in the lion's den of our life, then we are truly giving God praise through actions, not just words.

True thanksgiving and praise are when we see God in our life, and others see God in us. I am thankful he is with me, his spirit is part of me. I hope others see God in me, and not just my failings.

Thank you, God, for thy spirit; for the "... I am with thee".