I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence… —Abraham Lincoln, 1863
Wow, that about says it all, doesn’t it? While the smoke and blood of the U.S. Civil War was billowing and flowing, Lincoln called everyone to a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise”—just as Paul calls those who are in Christ to live lives of continual gratitude:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
My prayers for all of us today echo the words of these men. May those of us who have received Him continue to live our lives in Him, offering up the credit justly due to Him for each singular deliverance and blessing with humble penitence and overflowing thankfulness.
I’ll just let you pray this one through on your own, okay?
My God and my Provider, from the depths of my heart, I thank You for… Amen.