Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and I love the day after Thanksgiving!
And I bet you do, too. Come on, there's nothing like turkey sandwiches with cold stuffing and cranberry sauce (and a little mayonnaise) spread on soft, white Wonder bread – oh, I love it -- and day‑old pumpkin pie? Lead me to the refrigerator quick!
Yesterday, on Thanksgiving, Ken and I read through some Old Testament passages to help us get into that spirit of gratitude. Usually, we do read from the Bible around the dinner table and before dessert. And so, yesterday – Thanksgiving -- we turned to a Psalm or two which highlighted the wonderful things God has done in the past: parting the Red Sea; rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Back then, I tell you the Lord served up a full course meal of spectacular miracles and we had a great time after dinner just recounting all the awesome things God did back then…
But, what about today? Do we think the age in which we live is less spectacular? Like, when’s the last time God led you through a desert with smoke and fire? Is God serving up something less than His “best” if He chooses to reveal himself through the pages of His Word nowadays rather than through a pillar of fire and cloud of smoke? God's acts are no less mighty and our thanksgivings are no less earnest than those who fell prostrate before the Lord in the Old Testament. God didn't just flex His muscles in ancient times to leave us with leftovers, no, when He served up His mighty acts in the Old Testament, God didn't say, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good" only to dish out to us something less than His best. Nothing is ever “day old” or warmed up when it comes to God's workings. Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” What He does always tastes fresh, it always tastes good, delightful, and it’s worthy of thanksgiving.
So today as we contemplate this topic of leftovers, remember and be encouraged that the Lord is doing something even better nowadays. God may have given Solomon wisdom, but, friend, hasn't He done the same for you? God may have delivered Gideon, but hasn't He rescued you many times? Which of us has not been made to lie down in green pastures? We all know what it's like to be led by still waters. God satisfied the mouth of David with good things, but hasn't the Lord also fattened your soul with more blessings than you can count? And not only that, the Holy Spirit never indwelled believers like He does today. Back in the Old Testament, God lived in a tent and then in a temple made of stone and mortar. But today, God resides inside your heart – you are the temple of the Living God. God is with you and He has chosen to dwell inside you. And when it comes to being led, having the Spirit of the Living God whisper from His Word directly into your conscience is a whole lot more personal than following smoke and fire through the desert.
So, friend, think on these things today! Talk about thanksgiving. Psalm 103 is such a fitting Bible verse for today where it says, “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name and (get this) forget not all his benefits.” So on this day-after-the-big-day of turkey and pie, and while yesterday’s Thanksgiving blessings are still fresh on your mind, while the prayers of gratitude are still echoing around the table, forget not all His benefits – all His benefits. Because I'm sure you have a few thanksgiving leftovers, for the great Lord of the Universe has taken up a dwelling inside your heart. Until next time, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and from all of us at "Joni and Friends," it’s been a great Thanksgiving Day and day after, but, friend, have a great Thanksgiving weekend.
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