Learning to be thankful often takes us through things that seem so contrary to us and God’s will. Nevertheless, He who sees the end from the beginning is worthy of not only our thanksgiving but our trust as well. Not that God is in any way the author of all the ill fortunes that befall mankind, for man’s sin alone is the catalyst that hastens the inescapable consequence of a hostile, polluted and toxic world that of itself can only compound such calamities. But God is ever working to show us that He is great and able to use even the worst of our life’s adversities to bring divine healing to our spirit, soul and body, if we will but only trust Him and lean not to our own understanding.
How many times have we trusted in what seemed absolutely right in our own eyes and gave unwarranted confidence to the arm of the flesh only to be disappointed. God alone is able to work all things together for the good in our lives. But the promise is made to those that love Him; those who place their trust in Him who sees beyond the moment and can lead them safely through even the valley of the Shadow of Death on a path of righteousness to the fulfillment of His own purposes for us. When all seems to be intended for your destruction, remember He who can work it for your eternal good. So today, and every day, give thanks unto the Lord for He is worthy of our praise.
That all said, I would like to share a Thanksgiving message from a precious brother in Israel –
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Be thankful — in the end God will work it out!
Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Most of you know the story an Indian named Squanto and his first thanksgiving celebration with the Pilgrims. However, you might not know that over a decade before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, English traders were trading with the Indians throughout the region. Squanto’s amazing story really originated then.
An Englishman named Captain Hunter had kidnapped several Indians and sold them into slavery, one of whom was Squanto, sold into slavery in Malaga, Spain. There, Squanto was bought by a Spanish monk, who treated him well, freed him from slavery, and taught him about Christianity. Eventually, Squanto made it back to England, and worked in the stables of a man named John Slaney. It was there that Squanto learned English.
Upon Squanto’s return home in 1618, he learned that his tribe had been wiped out from an epidemic, probably smallpox brought by early English colonists. As you might imagine, he was devastated and couldn’t understand how God could allow this to happen.
Shortly afterward, a friend named Samoset introduced him to the Pilgrims. Because of Squanto’s history and understanding of English, Squanto was able to communicate with them. He also taught them how to survive there, how to fish, hunt, and how to plant corn. As a result, Governor William Bradford asked him to serve as his ambassador to the Indian tribes. Bradford accredited Squanto for the survival of the Pilgrim colony and saw that without God’s providential hand in providing Squanto — the colony would not have survived.
When I first heard the story of Squanto, it reminded me of the story of Joseph and the providence of God, even in the worst of situations. Joseph was sold into slavery, thrown into prison, accused and abused…. but all of these things were worked out for the purpose of saving the Jewish people. The story of the survival of the Plymouth colony rested on an Indian who was kidnapped, sold into slavery, returned home to see his tribe wiped out, and yet through these events was used by God to preserve the Pilgrims who came to America with this purpose, “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith”. (Mayflower Compact, November 11, 1620)
We have so much to be thankful for this thanksgiving season – even despite the tough times in which we live. In Israel, we’re thankful there’s a lull so that we can celebrate thanksgiving without the noise of sirens sounding. While times are hard, we’re thankful to be alive for such a time as this! So we’re entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise today, knowing that our God is providentially in control of everything that is going on around us. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends in the States — we’re celebrating with you in the Negev!
Gates of the City 