Thanksgiving 2017

Though politicians don’t often make for good theologians, and perhaps vice versa, there is something to Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863.  The United States is in the middle of the Civil War.  The Union is divided.  In not a few instances families are torn apart as people with the same relatives shoot at one another, fighting for their side.  In October 1863 it didn’t seem like there was much to be thankful for.  Nevertheless, Abraham Lincoln called for a day of national thanksgiving.  He was onto something.  Consider his words: “No human council hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”  Though we rightly deserve God’s wrath, He still shows us His mercy.  We do not deserve anything we have, but through His fatherly, divine Goodness, God the Father still graciously provides for all our needs of body and soul. 

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