Garnished With Hope

Today is Thanksgiving. A day to remember the blessing and provisions of a new land. The fortitude of the faithful, the mercies of the Maker and the many thanksgivings of the oddly clad Pilgrims. Well everyone really, but i guess it all started with them. One thing i do know... I’m pretty darn thankful for the person who thought of the word “cornucopia”. It’s a good one!

Anyway, on a more serious note, this year’s season comes at a time when more people are facing many more trials during much harsher times. Everyone seems to be talking about the economy and how awful it is. The affects of it are pretty obvious and it has hit closer than expected and comfortable. People have lost their jobs. Their homes. Their health. Families have taken hit upon hit to find a glimpse of hope in the provision of a food stamp, the heart of generous handout, and the sweet voice on the end of a helpline. Simple thanksgivings are found in the supply of the necessities and the abundance of mere relief. (Though in the host of phone calls for food assistance this week, I did get a one from a woman asking if we could provide her family a pie.)

However, in the midst of all of the hardship, there is hope! That hope is found in the steadfast love of God for his wonder-prone crazies (like me), and in the life and victory of Christ.

God is unwavering. His character is sure. It is good and righteous. All just and all loving. Merciful and wrathful. Mighty and exceedingly exalted. Not just the “man up stairs” but a living, active, and patient God. His patience is unmerited and his provisions are sufficient. He chooses, and commands, and convicts his chosen. Corrects and carries the burden his children. He conjures and carves, curves and coils, channels and cracks all the crevasses, creatures and rest of colossal creation. He is God. (And I just used a lot of “c” words.)
“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”

Christ was sent and is the perfect substitution. Through the wrath of a holy God poured out on a perfect man, we are granted access to the Holy One. That alone evokes thanksgiving. He qualifies God’s chosen to share in his rightful inheritance. He delivers sinners from the dominion of darkness and delivers them into the transforming kingdom of Christ. Into a new life of light! Man’s standing before God was redeemed though the cross. Through Christ’s death and resurrection. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” I Corinthians 15:57

Even when life serves up a banquet of hardship, it is garnished with the hope! Always. God does not change. His righteousness is steadfast! His goodness is grand. And his promises are sure. Even if that is all we have, we have ample reasons for thanksgiving. “Give thanks in all circumstances for it is the will of God in Christ for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! May you be fed with the lovely knowledge of Christ Jesus and may that translate into unceasing thanks and a life of giving! May you be stuffed with the good bread of life. Filled full, but not too full, of the true vine wine. And whatever other Biblical analogy you can make for the green been casserole, mashed potatoes and pumpkin goodies.

In the wise words of Solomon, “Eat, drink, and be merry... for tomorrow we die.”Good one Solly... I mean, it is Black Friday!