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Thanksgiving 1456 BC… and Today
Deuteronomy 2:7
It is good to step back and remember what all God has done for us. Thanksgiving is all about remembering.
This week during our thanksgiving celebration we are remembering the goodness of God to us. As Christians we have a lot of extra things that we are and can be thankful for. Above all we have Jesus and all that he has done for us.
Moses here is leading the children of Israel in a time of remembrance, a time of thanksgiving.
Regardless of the type of year you’ve had, remember with thankfulness. Whether your year has been a good year or whether it has been a fairly tough year, remember the things that God has done for you throughout this year.
Four areas that we want to look at this morning – God’s Provision, Presence, Purpose, Patience
God’s Provision
Moses told the people that they had “lacked nothing.”
God gave them manna. God gave them water from a rock. God gave them quail.
God took care of the children of Israel. They lacked nothing during their time in the desert.
We have experienced God’s provision. We have good homes. We have jobs. We have food. Most of all though we have God’s promise to take care of us in the future.
Luke 12:27-31 – If we seek after God’s kingdom and put his kingdom first he will take care of us.
God’s Presence
Moses told the people that “these 40 years the lord has been with you.”
Exodus 13:20-22, Exodus 33:12-17, Psalm 139:5-12
We need the presence of God to go with us. Just like Moses wouldn’t go forward without the presence of God going with him.
Let us give thanks for God’s abiding presence.
God’s Purpose
“He knows you are going through this great wilderness.”
We often grapple with trying to understand the “why” behind things that happen in our lives. It is often difficult to understand that God has a purpose. Even though we may never find out the reason that something happened to us, we need to trust that God knows what he is doing.
Maybe you remember something that you wish wouldn’t have happened exactly the way it did this year, know that God has a purpose in all things. Thank God for his purpose.
God’s Patience
As we remember God’s working throughout the past year we should be remembering God for his patience.
God’s patience with the children of Israel is incredible. He was continually ready to forgive and move forward. God did not forsake them when he had every right to do so based on their “track record.”
Acts 13:1-52, Nehemiah 9:1-38
God was very patient with the children of Israel and he is patient with us as well.
God’s mercy and patience continues to be available to us today.
We need to thank God for his patience.