False Allusions, Genuine Gratitude

In America its easy to live under the false allusion that what we have is simply of our own doing. Our own hard work, our own talents and abilities, our own know-how, etc.  As one more Thanksgiving draws near we’ll sit down to a feast of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, stuffing, and give our thanks to God before we partake but yet perhaps somewhat under the false allusion that our money and our hands have brought forth this great dinner. After all ,we trudged off to the store, we footed the bill, we cooked the bird !  Thank you Lord for what we are about to receive and  mental “pat on the back” for my role.

As Moses was writing his final book, Deuteronomy, he gave final instructions to the Jews and it almost sounds a bit “Thanksgivingish”,  “For the Lord bringeth thee into a good land. .  .a land of wheat, and barley. . . a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it. . . when thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good which He hath given thee.”  (8:7-10).   The Lord was reminding His people through Moses that they would be blessed because of Him and they must never forget that what they owned and what they ate was ultimately attributable to a gracious God ! Oh sure, God gives us a role to perform. We make the purchase, we pop things in the oven but all in all those things we do could never be done without the Lord being so gracious to us.

But did you catch what the passage says as to the timing of our dinner and giving of thanks?  “when thou hast eaten and art full.” !  Yeah, after that chemical in the turkey starts to work and we doze off with a full belly, chat around the table, or take in the football game it’s good to pause in thanks to Him as well.  We’re reminded to be mindful of our blessings from on High and never forget them and the One Who loves us so !   Don’t settle for a “traditional” thank you Lord and plow into the meal and go on your merry way, be ever grateful He is the God He is !!