Our founding settlers sacrificed all, that they might have the blessings of liberty, life and happiness. Indeed, this would be a unique nation, founded on the principles of God’s Word. God’s Divine institution of freedom was paramount in their thinking. This would be a nation that would defend and protect the freedom of others and encourage freedom in places where tyranny thrived. This would be the nation used by God to carry the gospel to peoples throughout this world. All these aspirations became a reality. Such a people, such a nation as ours, has much for which we are to be thankful to God; thankful for His providence, His protection, His provision, His sustaining grace. This is not a time for ease, of taking for granted the blessings of life and liberty. The cost of maintaining freedom is great -- the lives of our men and women. The early settlers persevered in spite of unbelievable hardships. Succeeding generations have sacrificed to insure these freedoms. We continue to enjoy the blessings of God’s bounty and grace even today. So once again at this season we can give thanks for God’s provision in our lives, His provision of the Savior. The Apostle Paul spoke --
“thanks be to God for His indescribable gift;”(II Co 9:15)
His provision for our daily needs, as spoken of by the psalmist --
… “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting;”(Ps 107:1)
For His provision of liberty. We, like the Christians in Ephesus are admonished that our attitude should be one of --
… “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Eph 5:20)
We are indeed a blest people and have the privilege of being a blessing to others. As we give thanks, let us recall those persons that God has brought into our lives --
… “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.”(1 Thess 1:2)