Words from Psalm 100

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Fear Not!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! 

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart....Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." - Psalm 19:8 and 11. 

Almost every time an angel appears to someone in the Bible, they always begin with the words "Fear Not!" This morning, I was reminded of our upcoming advent theme this year of not being afraid when reading words by the reformer Martin Luther from his biographer Roland Bainton. According to Bainton Luther adapted these words from Psalm 96 during a year of hiding from his enemies in what must have been a time of deep sadness and depression at fleeing governmental and ecclesiastical rulers who had the power to exile him or even put him to death for his standing on the Word of God. 

(Here I Stand by Roland Bainton published by Abingdon-Cokesbury in 1950). 

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God has willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

We tremble not for him-

His rage we can endure,

For lo! His doom is sure:

One little word shall fell him.

-Eine Feste Burg by Martin Luther, translated by Frederic Henry Hedge in 1852. 

How often those that we think of having the greatest faith suffered depression and sadness. From David to Jeremiah to Esther to Ruth St. Paul to Martin Luther to modern saints like George Muller of Bristol or Mother Theresa, even those with what seems like the strongest faith had difficult days and had to be reminded to lean on God. May we remember the "peace that passeth all understanding" even on those days it is most difficult! May God restore to us joy when we need it most!

Prayer:

Create in me a clean heart O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation 

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

-Psalm 51:10 and 12

Brent Shaw

Words from Colossians

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 

Thankful for All Our Blessings

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

While reading Brene Brown’s new book, Atlas of the Heart, I found myself agreeing and feeling convicted while recognizing myself in her descriptions.

In the section on Gratitude, she mentions how many of the emotions that are good for us – joy, contentment, and gratitude have appreciation in common. She goes on to say that gratitude is good for our physical and mental health. In researching the section on gratitude, Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC Davis, figured prominently. He says, “gratitude makes us appreciate the value of something, and when we appreciate the value of something, we extract more benefits from it; we’re less likely to take it for granted.” He continues: “with gratitude we become greater participants in our lives as opposed to spectators.”

Whether you make lists, say daily prayers of thanks, or share your thoughts of gratitude with others, let us remember that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” (James 1:17)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the many blessings in my life. Help me to focus on gratitude instead of bitterness, even when it's hard. Guide me in becoming an active participant in a life of gratitude. Amen.

Donna Gustafson (reprinted from 2022, edited)

A Difficult Year

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2

On January 14, 2025, I wrote this for an online devotional,” My brother has cancer. This verse is helping me face a new year that looks difficult…whatever you are facing in the new year, God promises to walk alongside you.”

Little did I know that on April 9, 2025, my brother Kurt would die. My brother was my baby brother, eleven years younger than I. I felt such shock, grief, anger at God, denial, and sadness. Why didn’t God save him? We needed him. He was only 55 years old. He left three children, a wife, and two sisters bereft.

I take comfort in King David’s honesty in talking to God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … I cry by day but you do not answer.” Psalm 22.

I don’t think I will ever understand why my brother died. I think God understands my anger and He is still there in spite of it. Sometimes I can’t sense God’s presence, but I believe He is still there. And there are times when I do sense His presence. Through it all, I remember, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

Prayer: Dear God, life hurts. We are grateful you promise to be there in the dark times and the good times too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nancy Brumbaugh

Words from Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2