But understand this; that in
the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of
self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control,
brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit. 2 Timothy
3:1-4
Mrs. Sarah Hale is known for two things.
First, she is the lady who wrote, "Mary had a little
lamb, its fleece was white as snow, and everywhere that Mary went ...." Well,
you already know the rest of that story, so I don't have to go into detail.
But Sarah Hale is also the lady who, in 1828, began a
crusade to make Thanksgiving as part of our national festivities.
She noted the pilgrims had offered thanks, but the
custom never continued, not officially. Then, after the Revolution, Washington
had called for a day of public thanks, but the official day was done away with
by Thomas Jefferson, who called it a "kingly practice."
Although Mrs. Hale knew that many, maybe, even most,
people gave thanks to the Lord, she still thought it proper that our nation do
the same. To that end she begged, pleaded and encouraged. In response the
nation's leaders said she was "naïve," "impractical," "impossible."
Hale kept hitting a brick wall until Lincoln put the
day on our calendar. Still, it took 80 years for Congress to officially approve
the idea.
It all goes to show that nations, especially rich
nations, like to reserve their applause for themselves. Paul described such
peoples when he wrote to Timothy.
You can see his words above. It is not a pleasant
listing.
In contrast, Christians should be different. Indeed,
God's people should be lean, mean, thanksgiving machines. They who remembered
they once were lost, helpless, doomed and damned know they should gladly and
gratefully offer appreciation to the Lord for the gift of His blood-bought
forgiveness and salvation.
Almost as importantly, they should be appreciative of
those physical gifts that God bestows, but which often go unrecognized and
unapplauded.
That way, if their nation gives thanks -- wonderful --
and if their nation does not God will still know there are hearts down there who
have not forgotten Him, His blessings and His bounty.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, no matter what the world, my
country or others may do, grant that I have a thankful heart. Make me grateful
for gifts both spiritual and physical. This I pray in the Name of Your Son, my
Savior: my cause for thanksgiving. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/ all rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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