HARRY MARTINEZ: Always thankful
Nov. 22—Once again, the citizens of these United States celebrate with family and friends the day set aside in our nation to give thanks to God for His bountiful blessings. It is right that we as a people publicly acknowledge the providential hand of God for His gracious blessings. While other nations have experienced a degree of freedom and prosperity, none compare with the blessings of God upon this country. Founded on Biblical principles which declare the God-given freedom to make decisions within the framework of law, this nation has seen the sustaining grace of God during times of extreme hardship, adversity, peace and plenty.
While it should be easier to recognize divine blessing in times of prosperity, this often is not the case. It is unfortunate that adversity, both personally and nationally, must occur in order to draw one's attention to that which is spiritual and eternal.
The Psalmist wrote of his journey to Jerusalem in celebration of the feast days. He was surrounded by hills beautiful to behold. Their grandeur drew his attention ... "I lift up my eyes to the hills" (Ps 121:1a NIV), but he knew that the majestic landscape was not the source of his help. As he continued to meditate on the God of Israel, he asked ... "where does my help come from" (Ps 121:1b)? There could only be one answer ... "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Ps 121:2 NIV). In pleasant times or adversity, He is the only source of help. With confidence and thanksgiving, the psalmist would say ... "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure" (Ps 16:6 NIV). When troubles swell and life becomes wearisome, those who have placed their faith in Christ can say ... "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul" (Ps 23:1-3a NIV).
Paul, often having to defend his apostleship, reminded Christians that ... "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches" (2 Cor 11:23b-28 NIV).
What was the Apostle's attitude in these adverse circumstances? Scripture reveals his thinking ... "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV). He would tell the Corinthians ... "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge — because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you" (1 Cor 1:4-6 NIV). From his prison cell, Paul urged fellow believers to ... "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. and pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" (Col 4:2-4 NIV). May the words of the Psalmist be ours this Thanksgiving season ... "Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good" (Ps 7:17a TLB).
Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.
