Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/79

Contributor - Martin DeVos

Title - Thanksgiving, 1979

Topic - Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time, of reflections. We may think back about the past and consider God's goodness in our lives. How often has He helped us? In many ways we have experienced His guidance and comfort. We also give thought to our present situation. At one time thanksgiving spoke more clearly to the farmer? but today we consider God's blessing in all our endeavours. Each one may take stock of his or her situation and find reason to be thankful. In order to show true thankfulness we must know what God desires of us. It is not that we live righteous lives, worthy as a Christian? This means doing what is right in the eyes of God and depending upon Him for the outcome. We may then go about our work with trust and confidence.

Many are the blessings of the righteous. The Lord has numerous promises for them. Let us consider some of these. A real jewel is found in Psalm 37:25, when David says: "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread". It is true, of course, that being righteous for the sake of receiving God's blessing would not really benefit us at all. The Lord looks at the heart and he knows full well whether what we do is done out of love for Him. Nevertheless we may be assured that God knows when we are righteous and in difficult times He will hear us. "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears toward their cry". (Psalm 34:15)

The Lord has promised blessing for the righteous here upon earth, and upon the things they are busy with and that includes our daily work and study. Consider this "Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds." (Isaiah 3:10).

Much more, however, are the blessings for the believer in the future. They have the promise of eternal life as a reward for being righteous on earth. "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. he who has ears, let him hear". (Math. 13:43) God has not promised that the life of a Christian shall be free from want and trouble. Indeed, many are the hardships and problems for His children. The Lord knows about our heartaches, pain, and suffering. He is aware of our frustrations and depressions. In Psalm 34:19 we read: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all".

Another blessing of a Christian life is the assurance of peace and quietness. "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of the righteousness, quietness and trust for ever." (Isaiah 32:17)

At this feast of thanksgiving let us again take to heart the words of our Lord, as we read in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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