“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Psalm 95:1-2

What are you thankful for this holiday season? There are the usuals for most which are family, friends, and health, but is there more to be thankful for? I think so! If you are a child of God, all of your sins are forgiven, past, present, and future, your future home is in heaven with Jesus then that is something to shout joyfully about!

So often Christian’s forget to be truly thankful for our unmerited favor. The God of the universe, maker of heaven and earth came down from his throne on high and came through time and space to await his entrance into this world in the womb of a young girl. He suffered with her through the birth pains and came into the world small with hands reaching out needing to be comforted. I wonder sometimes was it a quick journey through time or did he take his time, stopping along the way to encourage the prophets of old, even speaking with some. I do not know, I like to think about it though. Maybe he just thought it and it was done. We may never know that part of the story, what we do know is he was born of a virgin and came into this world as a baby, the only sinless person to ever live and walk this earth.

Before my name was on my mother’s lips before I was a thought anywhere I was already in the mind and heart of God and he decided I was worth saving. It absolutely humbles me to no end thinking about it. He decided what my life would look like, who my parents would be, how much pain, joy, happiness etc., that I would need to make my life perfect, my steps leading me to him. He ordered my steps.

I am so very thankful for each moment that he has filled my lungs with air, for every sunrise and sunset I have seen. I am thankful for times of tears that make times of joy so much sweeter. I am thankful for a God who looks into my heart and love and forgives me anyway. I am thankful for his goodness and mercy that follow me each and every moment of my life. I am so very thankful that he died so that I might live.

My life has been orchestrated by the One who sees into time and space, who looks into the soul of man and sees the wickedness therein, the one who hung the stars and calls each by name. My heart cannot contain all of it, my mind is blown by the love and mercy of Christ. He did not have to do it, he could have wiped the earth clean of people when the flood came, but he didn’t, his love compelled him to allow us to walk this earth, his love decided to die for us, it is all about him.

I pray that I never forget the goodness of God. I pray that I represent him well while I walk this earth. I pray that his light shines forth from my eyes and others see him in me. I may favor my earthly parents, but I want to look like my heavenly Father.

I pray as you love on family and friends, sit around the table and laugh, that you remember to be thankful for Jesus and his unmerited favor; I pray you will take a moment or more and shout joyfully to the God of our Salvation for all he has done! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

Happy Thanksgiving friends and may God richly bless each of you!