His Mercy Never Fails

Dear Brethren,

God asks us to remember and be thankful for our great blessings.  The reason He does this is because we have the tendency to think that we have built this nation with our own hands – without help from anyone else – especially God.  Thursday was Thanksgiving Day here in the United States.  It is not one of God's annual Holy Days, but it is more than appropriate for us, as members of God's Church, to be thankful to God for the tremendous blessings He has poured out on this great land and us – His people.  Thankfully, in this increasingly secular society in which we live, many still have the courage to openly give thanks to God.  It is a sentiment seldom expressed throughout the year.  Our Canadian friends celebrate Thanksgiving earlier than we do – often coinciding with the Feast of Tabernacles – which may have provided some of the original inspiration for a Thanksgiving Day.

This national day of thanks harkens back to the pilgrims who had so very little by way of material goods, and yet, they had so much expectation for a better land, a home for liberty, and an opportunity to pursue freedom and life.  We have come to the prophesied time in which these once cherished values are wholly taken for granted and unappreciated.   Paul told Timothy that in the last days perilous times would come and be characterized by such traits as un-thankfulness (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

As we ponder the state of our national wealth and power today, let's recognize and remember that we have not built this great land without help from our Lord above.  "The Lord our God brought us into this good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;  A land wherein we eat bread without scarceness, we do not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills we dig brass.  When we eat and are full, then we are to bless the Lord our God for the good land which He has given us."  (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)

Our actively recognizing that God has bestowed these national blessings on us does not seem too much to ask of us – does it?  What did God say would come to pass if we did forget what He has so freely has given to us?  "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command you this day:  Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built very fine houses, and dwell in them;  And when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;  Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God... [who has worked all these things] that He might prove you, to do you good at your latter end [end-time];  And you say in your heart, "My power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth."  But you shall remember the Lord your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.  And it shall be, if you do at all forget the Lord your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.  As the nations which the Lord destroys before your face, so shall you perish; because you would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God."  (Deuteronomy 8:11-20) 

In the Church of God, the greatest blessing God has given us is His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior along with His special calling and truth.  How thankful should we be for His Spirit - which enables us to begin to live as He lived?  Even the faith that God's plan will come to pass – is a gift to be thankful for.  His gifts are of infinite worth!  "Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:7)  "Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever." (Revelation 7:12)

More than a century ago, President Abraham Lincoln looked into his Bible and realized that the hand of God had blessed this land of America more than any other land in the history of all the earth.  In 1863 he wrote:

Abraham Lincoln became familiar with God's promises and believed them:  "The Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shall hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.  Blessed shall thou be in the city, and blessed shall thou be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store." (Deut 28:1-5)

God not only desires, but He expects us to be a thankful people because we have not received all these blessings of wealth and power by our own ingenuity and sweat.  It is God who has blessed America greatly; first of all, in fulfillment of His promise to faithful Abraham over 2500 years ago.  And then, we are blessed as God directs His plan for the USA in general, and we, brethren, in particular.  We owe all the thanksgiving to God.  "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Though Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we are becoming an unthankful and ungrateful people.  Thanksgiving Day, or "T'day," as some like to call it, literally means "Turkey day" for far too many.  It means turkey and pumpkins and family gatherings – but with increasingly less emphasis on giving the Almighty Creator God the thanks He deserves.  Seldom do we as a people recognize God for the blessings, protection, and abundance that we enjoy.  We think, for the most part, "We did it ourselves."  "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful." (Romans 1:21)

God is the giver of all good things!  The list is long – freedom of religion, victories, peace, protection, family, love, friends, food, health, clothes, homes, liberty, education, knowledge... and an endless list of spiritual blessings for His people – like mercy, conversion, and salvation!  We would have none of these things if it was not for the generosity and graciousness of God.  He must always be given the full credit.  "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11)

What an incredible time and country we live in!  We have meat, and fruit, and vegetables, and fresh flowers all year long.  We have it better than King Solomon.  We have telescopes to see God's beautiful creation as never before – we can even view our own beautiful earth from outer space!  How that would have inspired King David!  "That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." (Psalms 26:7)

Brethren, as we are reminded to be thankful this week, let's be sure to remember the source of all blessings.  God withholds no blessing that we require – it is His promise (Matthew 6:32-33).  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father..." (James 1:17)  "In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

Finally Brethren, let's be eternally appreciative of God's mercy – one of His greatest blessings.  "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever."  (1 Chronicles 16:34, 41)

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Sermon:

"His Mercy Never Fails"