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“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
What an odd scripture to chose in the times in which we live. Good is being called evil; right is being called wrong; sin is abounding on every hand… and we are to be thankful? There is probably more paganism, demonism and more devilment going on today than has been since America was formed. The big difference between America’s first Thanksgiving and this year’s is the fact that those first settlers who observed Thanksgiving knew that socialism would not work because they had tried it when first coming here. They knew that if success and living conditions improved, they would have to be part of the success and improvements. Times were hard and conditions were worse. They had lost half of the people who made the trip on the Mayflower by the end of their first year. It seemed nature and the environment were against them, yet they stopped to thank God. Isn’t it ironic that with over 200 years of the greatest achievements and successes ever experienced by any people other than the nation who had a covenant with the Almighty God, the descendents of those first Americans now prefer existence above achievement and failure over success.{C}
We could rehash what has been written by far better writers or we can just simply say that problem is defined in the Book called the Bible and the answer is found in the same place. The first book printed in America was the King James Bible to be passed out for the school children. Today, without that Book having never caused a heartache, but bringing comfort to so many at so many places regarding so many problems, the powers that be want to ban the Book! They want to deny that child the right to bring his Bible to the school or read his Bible under the school roof. We’ve come a long way, baby!
Let me insert here…that Book will be around when all the smoke has cleared. The nations who have opposed that Book will end up as nothing but smoke arising from their ashes. Don’t forget what the Book says:
“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20
Let us be reminded that God will triumph in the end. We may transgress against our Constitution, we may set aside our Bill of Rights and totally ignore the Declaration of Independence, but God’s word will not return void.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
I am thankful for that promise. I am thankful that God, the Creator of the universe, is still in control. During the reign of the mightiest of all monarchs, God said:
“…that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” Daniel 4:17
It is not the first time God’s creatures have been ruled by tyrants and evil men. Regardless of how evil and how powerful these rulers become, they always lose in the end. Note God’s view of the entire situation:
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Daniel 4:35
With all of the problems in the world in 2013; with all of the problems in America in 2013; with more problems coming in 2014…God’s people can still gives thanks. One of the signs given to the Gentiles of the last days was:
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13
I believe we can safely say that we are in the “last days.” How much longer these things will last, I do not know. I do know that if we are not in the last days, we are closer than we ever have been. For that, we can be thankful.
Is it now time for us to “…look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28 “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face, the One Who saved me by His grace.”
Keep Looking Up!
This was a blog from Leland Maples back in 2013. It has been posted here again in him memory.