Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!   As we pause today to be thankful, let us remember to Whom it is we give thanks....

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High Psalm 92:1

proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds  Psalm 26:7

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”   Revelation 7:2

In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus    I Thessalonians 5:18

Thank you, Lord, for Your abundant grace towards us all.  Amen.

Thanksgiving and Praise

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!


Psalm 100:4 is one verse of one of the most famous psalms - it is one that lifts our hearts in praise of our great God.  Especially suitable for this, the season of thanksgiving.


Note that there is a distinction here between thanksgiving and praise.  I don't think it's just semantics - it seems that "thanksgiving" is gratitude for what God has done while "praise" is worship for Who He is.   We are exhorted throughout Scripture to do both but notice the difference in effect...."thanksgiving" admits us into His gates....but "praise" brings us closer - entrance into the courts of His presence.


Praising God for Who He is turns our attention away from ourselves and what we need/want and focuses our hearts on Him.   The next verse describes some of His attributes :
For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,    and his faithfulness to all generations.


God is good.
This Hebrew adjective means "good, pleasant, beautiful, excellent, delightful, lovely, fruitful, joyful, cheerful, kind, correct, right, virtuous".  Wow - that's a lot packed into "good"!


He loves us relentlessly and unwaveringly.  And forever.
Being able to know His love in the face of changing times and my own unreliable heart is great comfort.  And confidence.


He is trustworthy.  From eternity past to eternity future.
He is certain, dependable, and sure.  Indeed He is worthy of all my trust.


In this season of giving thanks for all He has done for us, let us draw even nearer to His Throne with praise - an acknowledgement of Who He Is.


Hallelujah Amen!

How to respond in tough times

Moreover, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:6

Get the picture. The “moreover” in this verse refers to what’s going on in David’s life: he is being pursued by King Saul (who intends to kill him); his family (and those of all his soldiers) has been kidnapped by hostile enemies; and his followers are on the verge of mutinous rebellion. No wonder the future king of Israel was distressed!

Note his response. David’s default action in difficulties was not to first figure out how to solve the problem. He did not whine or complain or panic. After a situationally appropriate time of grieving, (v. 4), Scripture tells us that David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

What does that mean and how can we learn to do it, too?

The first thing we do is to look at what “strengthened” means. The Hebrew word is “chazaq”. It means “to be bound fast, to be attached, to make firm, to support.” This evokes the picture of a mighty cathedral being fortified with buttresses for support. That is a strong image!

What the writer of I Samuel is conveying to us is that David attached himself to the Lord - that was the source of strengthening for him. But not a weak velcro type attachment - rather this is demonstrating to us a firm binding, the support necessary to sustain stability. In the midst of desperate and distressing circumstances, David knew that only God could provide the strength and support he needed to survive.

One other important word in this passage is a short little pronoun - “his”. The verse says that David strengthened himself in the Lord HIS God. That tells us at least a couple of things - one, that David knew God personally. This was not the God of his fathers - this was his own. Also, this does not tell us that God became his during this time but rather the Lord as his God was already established. David was characterized by turning to the Lord all the way through this book and we see that his default was a habit that served him well. The rest of this passage tells the story of how God answered him, enabled him to not only defeat his enemies but also to rescue everything they had taken, and blessed his soldier with the spoils of victory. Strengthening led to success.

So that is what it means what it says David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. But how exactly did he do that? And how can we do the same?

First, instead of caving in to the distress and despair, David turned to the Lord. His default response is recorded elsewhere in Psalm 18 where he says I love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised and I am saved from my enemies.

We see from the verses that David penned in this Psalm that he clings to God as his refuge, the source of his strength - no doubt he called forth memories of the many times God had literally saved him. From lions and bears and a giant and a murderous king. David had witnessed firsthand God’s faithfulness and this formed his habit of turning to his Lord in times of distress.

In addition to calling upon the Lord because of his relationship based on God’s trustworthy faithfulness, we see that David sought wisdom .Verse 7 says that he went to the priest and asked for counsel in knowing what to do. With that godly support, he asked God for direction. Then he waited for the answer! We don’t know how long it was before God answered - perhaps it was quick but maybe not. Regardless, Scripture shows us that David did not act until he heard from the Lord.

AND THEN he obeyed what God had said to do! The rest of this passage tells us how David acted with courage, compassion, and generosity as he followed what God sent him to do. Calling on the Lord, recalling His faithfulness, responding in obedience, and remembering that our relationship with the Lord always includes the right treatment of others. David not only rescues ALL who had been taken captive by the enemy, he also shared the spoils of war with everyone - even those who had not participated in the rescue.

How can we follow the example of David and learn how to handle difficulties victoriously? We can purpose to turn to the Lord as our source of strength, our “chazaq”.I love that this passage includes the intense emotion that David felt (v. 4 “David and the people with him lifted up their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep”) and acknowledges our humanity - we do need to process our emotions! But where do we go from there? Instead of giving in to panic or despair, instead of relying on our own abilities and resources, instead of remaining in the inevitably intense emotions, we can turn to the Lord. How, practically, do we do that? We recall the character of God. Recounting times of His faithfulness to us. Rehearsing the truth of Who He is. Repeating to our stressed out hearts as often as necessary what Scripture tells us about the Lord our God.

As our hearts become stabilized and strengthened, then we can seek Godly counsel about what our next steps to be. Having trustworthy people in our lives is such a source of strengthening support, just like the buttresses of mighty cathedrals! These are the ones who join us in asking God for direction…and then encouraging us to obedience. Most specifically, we can follow David’s example in going to our Great High Priest - Christ is the way we access God to ask for help and wisdom and strength. We don’t have to go through an earthly priest - Jesus is our way to the Father. God’s path for us in distress may not be easy - likely it will call for courage - but it will always be the way of righteousness and will include the right treatment of others , just as it was for David.

Times of desperation and distress and intense grief will come. That we can be sure of. But we can also be sure that God’s victory for us comes when we learn to strengthen ourselves in Him. Just like David.

The HOLIDAYS are here!

Holiday season is upon us!  That realization may bring  a myriad of emotions – excitement,  joy, anticipation but also weariness, disappointment, sadness or anxiety. Are the negative experiences inevitable? While it is indeed easy to exhaust ourselves or our bank accounts, it is actually possible to experience the season with a heart of celebration and peace.  The key is found in understanding God’s purpose for holidays.

The Old Testament book of Leviticus tells us that God established certain days for His people to observe. “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these:’” (Leviticus 23:2). He spelled out specific “holy days” – holidays - that commemorate significant times and events in Israel’s history which He wanted His people to remember. These were times to gather together for worship and fellowship, times to express thanks for His provision, times to increase in knowledge of Him and to celebrate who He is – and yes, times of feasting and fun!

The first step towards a joyful holiday season is to see the holidays as HIS. Instead of a holiday, we can make them HOLY days by purposing to dedicate them to HIM.  That doesn’t mean we spend all day at church, refuse to bake cookies or wrap presents, and ban participation in neighborhood parties!  Rather, we see these days as opportunities to glorify Him - in whatever we do, doing all to the glory of God.

The themes of REMEMBER, REFLECT, REST, and REJOICE can help us experience the holidays as God intends.

•REMEMBER:

The word “remember” has two layers of meaning in Scripture and both apply here. One is “to recall”,  and the other is “to intimately know”.  We can employ both meanings in our holiday celebrations as we not only recall precious memories but especially as we review what God has done for us. Sometimes, our memories are tender and sweet and delightful.  But other memories bring old hurts and pain to the surface and we’d just as soon stuff those down.

God is so very much aware of the hurts we have, from the past and the present.  And He does not leave us without instruction.  Instead of ignoring or pretending, He encourages us to face them and allow Him to bring healing.   Lamentations 3:19-25- I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them,    and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,  for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,   to the one who seeks him;

 Also call to mind the good memories, especially the faithfulness of the Lord. Psalm 105:5 – Remember His wonders, which He has done, His marvels, and the judgments uttered by His mouth.  Share these things with your family and create a time of focus on the Lord.  Thank Him and glorify Him by expressing confidence that, indeed, He is good to those who trust Him

REFLECT

While it is so good to remember, to remember the faithfulness of God and what He has done, it is also so beneficial to spend time of reflection. Reflection on who God is, what our walk with Him is like right now….and what does He want for us coming up.  Hebrews 10:23-25 is good counsel -

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

Reflect on who God is - His faithfulness and His call on our lives.  Reflect on what He wants for you, His plans for you.  The holidays can be a great time to “circle the wagons” and ponder goals for the future.   Reflection.  Considering how to encourage one another.  Love and good works.  Beautiful.

REST

Rest is a major theme of God’s appointed times.  And to that, we all say hallelujah!  But secretly we think - HOW can we accomplish that? We would love to relax, to rest, of course!  But how is everything going to get done?  Yet  it is so clear as we study the appointed times of the Lord that He does not want us to run ourselves ragged.  The hectic, frantic, chaotic pace that often characterizes our holidays benefits no one.  So, what are we to do? 

Perhaps we need to get rid of some of the things we think have to be done. God never calls us to meet every expectation or fulfill every imaginable demand.  He calls us to Himself.  And in that, we find that He will direct our actions, make clear our paths.  Ask Him before you add anything to your plate.  Ask Him what are the things that are on your plate right now that need to be taken off.

REJOICE

The final suggestion I have to offer to help us make our holidays Christ-exalting is to REJOICE!

The best counsel ever is found in Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 

REJOICE!  Rejoice in the Lord!  Be happy!  Celebrate!  Have some FUN!  God commands us to!  And did you catch that last phrase - it is a safeguard for you ? That means that if we don’t find our joy in the Lord, we will look for it elsewhere.  And all other elsewhere’s will eventually disappoint us.  The safest place to find our joy, our satisfaction is in Christ.  As you look ahead to this holiday season, make sure you plan for time to REJOICE

REMEMBER REFLECT REST  REJOICE. May the Lord’s appointed times for you be the best ever this year!