“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
In Richardson’s American School Reader printed in 1810, we have the following account written by Benjamin Franklin:
There is a tradition that in the planting of New England, the first settlers met with many difficulties and hardship, as is generally the case when a civilized people attempt to establish themselves in a wilderness country. Being piously disposed, they sought relief from Heaven by laying their wants and distresses before the Lord, in frequent set days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation and discourse on these subjects kept their minds gloomy and discontented…At length, when it was proposed in the Assembly to proclaim another fast, a farmer of plain sense arose and remarked that the inconveniences they had suffered, and concerning which they had so often wearied heaven with their complaints, were not so great as they might have expected, and were diminishing every day, as the Colony strengthened; as the earth began to reward their labor and to furnish liberally for their substance; and above all, that they were there in the full enjoyment of liberty, civil and religious. He therefore thought that it would be more becoming the gratitude they owned the Divine Being, if, instead of a fast, they should proclaim a Thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this they have, in every year, observed circumstances of public felicity sufficient to furnish employment for Thanksgiving Day which is, therefore, constantly ordered and religiously observed.
God does not want us to be continually dwelling upon our sorrows and trials, but rather to be meditating upon our blessings. Thanksgiving is one of the most delightful blossoms in the garden of sanctification. Few recognize that ingratitude is a grievous sin in the sight of heaven.
If words of complaint and bitterness of the past year were placed alongside of our expressions of gratitude, how truly thankful would we appear?
Count your many blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done – J. Oatman, Jr.
“Pride slays thanksgiving. A proud man never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” – H. W. Beecher (Our Daily Bread, Nov. 24, 1973)
God bless you as you celebrate all that He has done for you this Thanksgiving,
Pastor Pete