Thanksgiving is just a few days away. Isn’t it interesting how many people wait to be thankful until they have something to be thankful for? It’s one of the flaws of our humanness. We’re always looking forward to what we want and always aware of what we don’t have. For many people in our world, at the very least, the glass is always half empty.
What’s our remedy? It’s given often in Scripture. We are to be “rememberers.” God urges us to review His past blessings intentionally and actively. Whenever we begin to focus on what we think we lack, we are to redirect our focus to what we’ve been given. The change in attitude that will result is remarkable. In those moments, joy begins to resurface, and our faith gets stronger.
“Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He promised.” (Psalm 105:5)
That’s what Psalm 105 is all about. It’s a brief summary of history from the call of Abraham to the victories of David. It reminds Israel’s worshipers that God began a great plan with His people and would certainly continue it. It encouraged them to count the miracles He had done. It helped them think of God as their Provider, Deliverer, Protector, Strength, Warrior, and more – just in case they’d forgotten. It stirred up a sense of destiny and a confidence in God’s ability to bring them through whatever they were patiently enduring. It created the context for true worship.
I need such reminders. How about you? Remember, we’re so human and we easily forget God’s providence, salvation, and love. We fear that He might not protect us this time, or He might not hear our prayer this time, or that He might abandon His plan for us. I have found (and am right now rediscovering) an intentional memory of His works will help us dispense with those lies. It will cultivate all the things we need to believe in Him and worship Him again, and again, and again.
This Thanksgiving let’s once again make a list of all the things we’re thankful for. Let’s remember God’s past mercies and write them down. Let’s do our best to recount His many gifts and compose our own psalm of remembrance. Let’s read over these blessings that God has brought to our lives and share them with those closest to us (they most likely need the encouragement too). Let’s allow our mind to be saturated with the goodness of God, and You’ll Be Amazed at how tangible and pleasant His goodness really is.
Have a memorable weekend. Make it a priority to worship The LORD with those who often revisit all the countless ways He has overwhelmed them with His words of wisdom and His works of blessing.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)
Vic Alvarado 