With thanksgiving being tommorow, I thought it befitting to look at the thanksgiving proclamations of the past and look at what previous generations were thankful for. Gods blessings, even through times of tragedy , with us as a nation are numerous beyond measure and we do not have enough time to address each and every one, let me start out by using a quote by Benjamin franklin who wrote: .........the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. Gods blessings in those affairs from the arrival of the first pilgrims,who, surviving the harshness of winter and lack of food, did not forget the blessings of God. In 1621 Edward Winslow proclaimed "And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." In the year 1778 congress, issued a proclamation saying "and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe;" and that "above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory" In 1789, the first presidential proclamation George Washington said "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor...
And to be thankful for the conclusion of the late war ( the war for Independence), for a great deal of tranquility, union, and plenty, for the ability to establish constitutions of government and especially the national one, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed,...and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. In the year 1863 at the end of the civil war Abraham Lincoln proclaimed "peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere" and that "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy" In 1944 the proclamation by Franklin D Roosevelt said America should be thankful "For the preservation of our way of life from the threat of destruction; for the unity of spirit which has kept our Nation strong; for our abiding faith in freedom; and for the promise of an enduring peace, we should lift up our hearts in thanksgiving.
For the harvest that has sustained us and, in its fullness, brought succor to other peoples; for the bounty of our soil, which has produced the sinews of war for the protection of our liberties; and for a multitude of private blessings, known only in our hearts, we should give united thanks to God. In 1962 John F Kennedy said "It is fitting that we observe this year our own day of thanksgiving. It is fitting that we give our thanks for the safety of our land, for the fertility of our harvests, for the strength of our liberties, for the health of our people". In 2001 George W Bush said"During these extraordinary times, we find particular assurance from our Thanksgiving tradition, which reminds us that we, as a people and individually, always have reason to hope and trust in God, despite great adversity. And that "In thankfulness and humility, we acknowledge, especially now, our dependence on One greater than ourselves"
Looking at the proclamations of the past we find both bounties of peace and prosperity and tragic events, we see gifts received, though many times undeserved, and the gratitude for the unity and tranquility that God had so graciously allowed to descend upon this land. Let us now not forget that God, "who daily loadeth us with benefits"psa 68:19 has blessed us more than we can ever repay. Let us acknowledge and proclaim those blessings so that it can never be said of us, as Abraham Lincoln once wrote " we are prone to forget the source from which they come,". In recent years there is less focus on Thanksgiving unto God, but more feasting on the plenty and the sales the day after. So my challenge to you is this, what are your blessings that God has supplied you this year, and how would your proclamation read
First and foremost I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of his Son The Lord Jesus Christ through whom I have redemption, Eph 1:7. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. john 3:16 For in him we live, and move, and have our being Acts 17:28a ; .....I am thankful for that life. Secondly I am thankful for being born a citizen in these United States of America, there is no other country in which I would rather live, then here.
For the peace of the soul which he provides in trying times, for the guidance when the way seems dark,
For the physical ability to work, for the blessings of family, The blessings of a bible preaching and teaching church. These are just a few of mine. What's yours??
