viewoutsidethepew

On this Thanksgiving day (in Canada) we think of food, home and family. We think of these as needs.

In Psalm 100 we read:

“Shout happily to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord cheerfully.

Come into his presence with a joyful song.

Realize that the Lord alone is God.

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people and the sheep in his care.

Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving.

Come into his courtyards with a song of praise.

Give thanks to him; praise his name.

The Lord is good.

His mercy endures forever.

His faithfulness endures throughout every generation” (God’s Word©).

Our vegetable garden just after weeding, June 30, 2012

Paul thought of thanksgiving as related to all our praying:

“Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7 God’s Word©).

The Bible does not speak of our thanksgiving as motivated primarily by material items.

That made me think that Jesus left all glory and personal benefit to rescue disobedient, violent and self-absorbed people from death. Jesus was moved with deep compassion (a word applied only to Jesus, with one possible exception) at the plight of others, stinking with leprosy, tainted with adultery, arguing about who is the most important, legalists, zealots, gossips and betrayers.

And Jesus loves even me.

That is truly worth giving thanks.