"Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son."
Today I give thanks because I am not worthy to be in the presence of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah said in Is. 6, "Woe is me. I am a man of unclean lips and live among people of unclean lips (and unclean lives--my paraphrase).
Who is worthy to be in the presence of total holiness--"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord"? No one, on our own. But God made a provision. As with Isaiah in chapter 6, God made a way for cleansing to occur. In Is. 6, an angel of God came and brought cleansing, but the New Testament provision was the Messiah, Jesus. "For God so loved the whole world that He gave His one and only, unique, one-of-a-kind Son, Jesus ..."
"Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son."
"And now, let the weak say, "I am strong."
Let the poor say, "I am rich" because of what the Lord has done."
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12, "For when I am weak, I am strong." In Isaiah 61, Messiah would bring good to those who were left out. He would provide for their needs. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, God would "bless the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, etc."
We are only strong and rich because of what the LORD has done. Not of ourselves--not of our power or riches or abilities. All because of Him and His provisions.
Not worthy or able to be in the presence of One totally Holy. Not able to provide for our needs whether emotionally, physically or spiritually. That is the human being--one created by God. We cannot create ourselves in any way, from beginning to end--from birth to death. It is all of God.
Worthy only because of God and His provision through His Son Jesus the Messiah.
So today--Thanksgiving--give thanks with a grateful heart--give thanks to the Holy One, the Righteous One, the Providing One, the Giver who is also LORD and Master of all. Give thanks for what you can NOT provide for yourself. And that is everything.
So should we not, on this day above all, but really on every day, give thanks to God. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness and covenant love is everlasting." (Ps. 100; 136)
Yes, truly give thanks for His provisions for YOU today and throughout your time on earth, and afterward as well.
"Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks."
THANK YOU!!!!
