by Lara Cook
Therefore we do
not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being
renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is
seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen
is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Thanksgiving Perspective
A
few days ago, I was at a loss about what to put on this day of devotionals.
I was searching preached sermons on Thanksgiving and scouring through
materials we have on file and really had not come up with anything so I put it
aside for a few days. It is amazing how everything can change in a couple
of days’ time.
Since
I have set this aside, mankind has suffered a horrible tragedy. The world
has been attacked by a group of terrorists so evil they make my skin crawl.
But here we are a day away from the holiday that we are supposed to
focus on all the blessings and things in our lives we are thankful for.
In the midst of tragedy sometimes it is easy to forget the blessings we
have. This is a sad and dark time and people are mourning losses and fear
had gripped the whole world about where and when it will happen again. We
are all holding our breath, believing it is only a matter of time before it
happens again here in the United States. As Christians, we have
already been a specific target of this group and that makes it even
more sobering for us.
However, this day, tomorrow, and every other day of
the year, we cannot let terrorists steal our gratefulness, our Thanksgiving.
It makes me think of the Whos down in Whoville who gathered in the midst
of their Christmas being taken by the Grinch. Together
they raised their voices in song because they knew that
Christmas was in their hearts, not in the food, trees, decorations, or
presents. That is where Thanksgiving is too, in our hearts.
This year it is from our broken and confused hearts
and in the midst of tragedy such as this, everything seems a little different.
Things get put in perspective very quickly. Suddenly what seemed
important before is not so important now and nothing matters as much
as the people we love. Unfortunately what we have experienced is much more
formidable than the Grinch and does not have the happy ending that the classic
Christmas cartoon does. But we can’t let it take away our thankfulness and
faith.
This quote
seems very appropriate in the midst of the current events:
What I do
know: there is a very real and very active battle, and the prize is faith. God
gives faith and Satan steals faith. God loves faith more than any other thing
in us, and Satan hates our faith more than any other thing. Faith is the
measure to which we believe God is God. And faith is the measure to which we
let God be God. - Jennie Allen
The
exercise of your faith is the source of your strength. Brother Van has
said many times, Our strength is in direct proportion to our faith and our faith is in
direct proportion to our knowledge of God. Faith takes strength. Believing requires trusting in the
person of God when you cannot understand His ways. In times such as this
when things are beyond our understanding, we have to hang on to our faith.
It is the only thing that can see us through. I know this year I
will be thinking a whole lot more about all that I have within the grasp of my
hand, my family that I can put my arms around, my Bible that I can hold in my
hands and my God and my faith, that no one can take away from me ever.
For this, I am forever thankful.
Scripture to Claim:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you. 1
Thessalonians 5:18
