Thanks-giving 2020

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Each year at this time we all sing a Dutch hymn the Pilgrims knew, and may have sung at America’s first thanksgiving.  Its opening verse is especially applicable for us this year:

 

"We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known;

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;

Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own."

This year, all Americans who have taken refuge in Him fervently praise Him for deliverance from the oppression of the wicked.

The last verse of the hymn also strongly resonates with me this year:

"We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

 

And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
 

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; 

 

Thy Name be ever praised !  O Lord, make us free !"

 

Jesus said "If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32).

We who know and believe Jesus' words, know it is His unshakeable will that we continue in His word.  So we know that this song of petition is Jesus' Own desire for us...and that we will be free indeed.

Amen, Lord !  Thy will be done.

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Good

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.” 

                                                                                            --  Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19

“…it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ “              --  I Peter 1:16

 

Human beings are only ever “good” in comparison to other people.  It’s the wrong standard.  Jesus, during His days in human flesh, rejected that standard.

Americans have to thank God we will soon have a President with a moral compass, and a heart for other people.  That’s better for America than what our nation has experienced under the current president: but it can only be relatively better.

Our human system of government hinders even that relative “good.”  The incoming President’s political enemies control other levers of government power, and have promised they will do everything possible to stymie his governance: including whatever limited, relative, “good”  he might attempt to do.

Our system of government also makes certain that when a majority of “the people” again WANT to believe lies and follow liars, America will again have evil rulers after their own heart …and come under God’s judgement again.  Poor America !!

May America REPENT, and every heart desire the Kingdom of God and its righteousness !  Amen !!