Flashback -- Fall, 1621. The Pilgrims faced extreme adversity as they struggled to overcome the most grim trials and tribulations. They faced death from nature, hunger, and illness.
Nevertheless, they thanked God daily and sent supplications heavenward.
It is recorded that God used the least likely vessel in answer to their prayers when, during a Sunday worship service, Squanto brought life-saving food.
They endured a detrimental winter and further obstacles.
The Light and The Glory, written by Plymouth Pilgrims Peter Marshall and David Manuel, recounts their harrowing tale. Charles Spurgeon retells an account where, at one point, their rations had dwindled down to a meager five kernels of corn. At that point, they prayed unceasingly for eight hours. God miraculously answered their prayers and another day of Thanksgiving was declared.
Forward two years. Upon reaping an abundant harvest, Governor William Bradford declared a day for thanksgiving.
He is quoted as saying:
Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience.
Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.
Delving into
Thanksgiving history, I came across this enlightening proclaimation by President George Washingon that I thought worthy of sharing:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
It is my prayer this Thanksgiving that Americans will take a moment to remember. To remember our God and give Him due reverence and thanks, to acknowledge the befitting foundation laid by our forefathers to acknowledge His rightful place as Sovereign Provider. It does my heart good to know that there is incredible depth of rich meaning and significance to this day that began long before fine china, football, and sales.
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Flash Forward to the day after Thanksgiving when thanksgiving becomes a way of life -- not just an American holiday.
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"Glorious Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;" I am humbled and grateful for Your wonderful blessings aplenty upon us -- from the first Pilgrims-landing to this Lord's day. Create a desire in Americans to unite to acknowledge You as God and give thanks for Your loving-kindness and protection. Create a desire to earnestly seek pardon for our transgressions. Bless us with good government to promote knowledge, true religion, and godly virtues. Blanket this land as morning frost, dear Lord, with Your mercy and grace. In Christ Holy Name, Amen
