This is the time of year when we share with thanksgiving. In America we have a holiday to give thanks to God because our earliest settlers survived their first harsh winter in the land. My ancestors arrived in the following Spring but share in the grace of God that led them to come to America. They came that we might have the freedom to worship God as we sought. I guess that is one of the reasons I beleive that we should not hinder other Christians from expressions of faith even if they are not quite the same as our own.
But this year, here in America and across the world there seems to be little to be thankful for. As persecutions have increased in the world, we pray for God’s intervenition. As our financial empires collapse, we pray that we can keep our jobs, our homes and our minds. And as we still see conflicts around the world, genocide and oppression still on the march and we seem helpless to do anything about it, we pray that we can make sense of it all.Then in it all, I found a bit in the Bible that helps me cope.
From the book of Deuteronomy, comes this nugget of Wisdom, a prayer for the people of obedience to the Word of God and His Commandments. I offer this up as my prayer for all in the world that seek His Wisdom and strive to obey the Commandment of Love and Compassion.
And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments … all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. …. The LORD will open to you his good treasure, the heavens, to give you rain in the land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 28:1-6,12
As we begin this season of the celebration of the Birth of Chirst, let us each day find a blessing of God, even in these hard times, and rejoice in the Love, Mercy and Generosity of Our God.
