“Thankful Beyond All Measure!”

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-20

Thanksgiving is an American tradition that is as old as our heritage. It has always been taken seriously and it was never given a secondary position in early American lives, but over the years, it has lost its significance of thankfulness, and is now just another holiday to justify our overindulgences.

When the Plymouth settlers feasted, they had just come through a devastating first year in their new home. The winter’s cold had been brutal, illness had ravaged the colony, hunger was an everyday thing, and even though their dream of religious freedom had come true, they had paid a heavy penalty for it. But with the new spring came healing and hope and promise of a far better life, and when the harvest came in, how could they NOT give thanks to the One who had brought them such a blessing.

In 1789, during his first year in office, George Washington proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving with the following notice:
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:"

Consider that first “whereas” again – it is our duty to acknowledge the “providence”, the wisdom, of Almighty God; it is our duty to obey His will; it is our duty to be grateful for all that he gives and does; it is our duty to humbly seek his protection and favor!
And did you notice that it wasn’t just the President who ordered this – it was also the joint will of both houses of Congress!

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed an annual Day of Thanksgiving, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In his address, he offered a considerable list of items that we should be thankful for, including community and industrial growth and peace with other nations; that all of our blessings have nothing to do with our own strength and wisdom, but solely due to the gracious nature of Almighty God; a call to every citizen, regardless of whether they are within the boundaries of the nation, or at sea, or in a foreign land, to offer God praise for his “singular deliverances and blessings”; to pray for forgiveness from “our national perverseness and disobedience”; commend to God those who have suffered the most during the Civil conflict – “widows, orphans, mourners, and sufferers”; and to pray for healing and restoration of our nation.

Powerful calls and powerful prayers!
Could these great leaders of our nation have been familiar with our text for this evening?

Read Colossians 1:9-14

Do you see some similarities between this passage and the thoughts of Washington and Lincoln? Thankfulness for good things that come from God; growth and strength that God has given; great endurance and patience; an inheritance in the kingdom of light; and we are told that we should be giving joyful thanks to the Father. But at the end of this passage, the writer adds a reference to Jesus, which the early proclamations didn’t, and as we read further, he expands his praise and joy in the Son of God.

Read Colossians 1:15-20

What a joy filled hymn of praise to our Gracious and Glorious Lord! But when we consider the circumstances under which all of these praises are being offered, we must be humbled.
The early church was beginning to experience persecution, and it is felt that this letter was written around the time of Paul’s execution. And yet, the church is told to be thankful for all that they have, and not to focus too much on the trials that were coming their way.
The Pilgrims had come through a very difficult year. Friends and loved ones had perished; everyone had suffered from inadequate nourishment; the winter had been bitterly cold, but they still found sufficient reason to have a 3 day celebration to rejoice in the Lord’s goodness and bounty.

In 1789, the nation had just recently been formed. The revolution had been devastating for both sides, and the colonists had lost, not only family and friends, but also property, possessions, and wealth. The new nation still had a lot to work out before they could even begin to be united, and yet, there were all the reasons in the world to rejoice for all that God had given them.

In 1863, our Civil War was still raging with no real end in sight. Brother against brother, father against son, families torn apart, homes and communities destroyed, and Lincoln still had the presence of mind, and the faith, to suggest that we should give thanks and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for our “perverseness”.

Today, we aren’t just experiencing political differences, but civil divisiveness and the fear of terrorism! We are in a struggle that is no less harmful to us than it was for the people of the 3 eras we have considered this evening. And still, we are to give thanks – not for the strife, but for God’s goodness and glory in the midst of it all. Tomorrow isn’t just a day to watch parades and football games, and to stuff our bellies nearly to the bursting point! It is a day to give thanks to Almighty God for his many blessings and the goodness that he has won, and has paid for, and gives so freely.

Our Colossians passage isn’t just for tonight – it’s for tomorrow and for all of our tomorrows. Give God his due, and praise him to the heights, regardless of what your mortal life is experiencing. There’s so much more, you know!