Pastor Mark A. Loest

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost
Saginaw, Michigan
National Day of Thanksgiving (November 27, 2008)
Text: Psalm 116:12-14

MP3 Audio

 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 The Word of God for our Thanksgiving Day meditation is from Psalm 116, verses 12-14.

What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,  I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. (ESV)

 We pray: Gracious God, our Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for the constant goodness You have poured out on us through the ministry of Your Holy Spirit on account of the sacrifice of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Without any merit or worthiness in us, You have abundantly provided for us in body and soul. Enable us to receive Your daily gifts with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Our National Day of Thanksgiving is traditionally the time when as a nation we recognize the blessings of God upon our land. Whether before the altars in countless houses of worship or at the tables in individual homes, what makes Thanksgiving one of the great holidays on our nation’s calendar is the fact that it is set aside as a time to give thanks to God.

Even in these days of economic uncertainty, no one will disagree that God has showered our nation with great blessings, beginning with the freedoms we enjoy. And among those freedoms, the greatest and dearest is the freedom to worship God. This singular freedom sets our nation apart from all others. Here, in America, the Gospel has prospered, and true faith is found among us. Thanks be to God!

 The riches of this land also set us apart as a nation blessed by God. Natural resources, the productivity of our workers, the advances in human causes such as knowledge, medicine, the arts  and leisure—all are enjoyed by the citizens of this land in ways unlike any other nation or people on earth.

 And these blessings are shared with others. Whether growing food for the world, manufacturing useful things for export, or even defending other peoples from tyranny in foreign wars, America has always realized that she is blessed and has willingly shared the blessings given to her by Almighty God.

 Our National Day of Thanksgiving is traced back to the Pilgrims who settled Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. They came to America for many of the same reasons that our ancestors eventually came here over two centuries later. Chief among these was to worship God freely and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 A year after their arrival, the Pilgrims gathered in the fall of 1621 to give thanks to God for safety and protection, for a successful harvest, and for surviving in the harsh New England environment that was wilderness at that time. And they shared what little they had. The Pilgrim’s treatment and friendship with the Native Indians was further evidence of their Christian love and thankfulness.

 Thanksgiving as we know it comes to us in the proclamations that came about during our nation’s greatest difficulties: at its founding by President Washington at the close of the Revolutionary War, and by President Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War.

 In 1789 Washington stated in his Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving, “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.”

 Some seventy years later, Lincoln wrote about our nation’s blessings, “No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”

 And in 1863, during the worst year of the Civil War, he set apart the last Thursday of November as, “A day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

God’s Word calls each of us to give thanks today. The Psalmist in many places offers up words of thanks. Many of us conclude each meal with the words of Psalm 118: “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever.” (KJV)

 And in Psalm 116 the Psalmist asks a question and then answers it for us.

“What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,  I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116: 12-14 (ESV)

 

We recognize these words as the offertory of the First Setting of the Divine Service in our Lutheran Service Book.

 

Here we are told that the Lord wants to be thanked in the presence of all people. In the midst of the congregation. It is appropriate for us to be gathered here today to receive His Word and offer Him our thanks and praise. But what about the Sundays Services? What about the lifting of the cup of Salvation at the Lord’s Supper? What about the fulfilling of the confirmation vow?

 Coming to church because you don’t want to disappoint Grandma on Thanksgiving Day, or because your spouse or parents dragged you here, is hardly sufficient evidence of a thankful heart. Wanting a name on the rolls of the church also means that someday there will be accountability for the support of the Ministry of Gospel. We need to repent and do better as a congregation, and do as the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, and “make up our minds,” and, “have contentment.”

 Certainly in addition to our shared citizenship in this great land, there are many more wonderful blessings that we share, such as this church and community. 162 years is a long time to remain unmoved in the Word of God and its pure and faithful preaching and teaching.

The Means of Grace, which are the marks of the true Church, abound in this place by the mercy of Almighty God. Jesus is taught to us from infancy. The dying are comforted with the hope of eternal life in heaven. Sinners are called to repentance. The repentant are forgiven.

 Then there are our families and friends. Husbands and wives, parents and children especially, serve the Lord in bonds of love. Where read about the terrible things that happen to people today within houses—which can hardly be called homes (and not far from this very place), we may be thankful that Christ’s forgiveness freely flows through our homes.

 And as we look out at the fall landscape around us—and see the truth of the words we just sang, “Ere’ the winter storms begin,”—we praise God for the bounty He has provided in the harvest. Although we are not all farmers, we pray for the success of all who provide the food for our homes. And we are truly thankful for a safe harvest this year. We know that the success and safety of our farming friends means immeasurable blessings to us all. God feeds us through them.

 We also know that there are others who need patience, peace, and perseverance during these times. Many in our state seek work—with the highest unemployment rate in the nation nearing 10 percent. We can not forget those who suffer from want because of storm, economic downturn, or other troubles. Our offerings today will help in a small way.

 Health, and healing from sickness; peace of mind and release from anxious thoughts; certainty in an uncertain future: all are blessings of God, along with the food we enjoy, and the things we have, and our homes, and jobs, and what savings we count.

 But greatest and chief is the salvation we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not dependent on economic forces, a secure job, a full bank account, or even a bountiful table. Our salvation has been bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. His death on the cross has forgiven our sins. Our baptism has secured our future as children of God. Faith holds on to Christ, trusts His promise and looks forward to heaven.

 Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! Amen.