Nehemiah 12:43
43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Over a period of time, maybe the past year, we all have worried about various issues that may have surrounded us. I can recall no bigger terror as when Covid surrounded us, invaded homes, offices, shops and families. I have seen families wiped out, destroyed. People falling like flies. Businesses were decimated and collapsed. Or maybe the terror of financial losses, business losses, homes destroyed and so much more evil that surrounds us.
Yes, we all have experienced that terror.
Much like the terror that the Israelites may have felt when Moses led them out of Egypt and as they were chased by Pharaoh and his men.
And at the end of it all, we can only be thankful to God we are saved. But how do we show that we are truly thankful? Or is it just a lip service. Is it just a day of the "observed Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner"?
Looking to the Bible, in what may be the first ever Thanksgiving, we read what Moses instructed the people of Israel to do, in observation of Thanksgiving -
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
1 Once you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and are settled there, (Upon receiving this “inheritance” which could be anything – food, clothing, shelter, new homes, material possessions, spiritual possessions, protection, good health and so on…)
2 take some of the early produce of the fertile ground that you have harvested from the land the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket. Then go to the location the LORD your God selects for his name to reside (take a portion of our blessing or a token thereof and take it to your church since the Church is God’s)
3 Go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him: “I am declaring right now before the LORD my God that I have indeed arrived in the land the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us.” (Openly Declare the Blessing that we have received from God)
4 The priest will then take the basket from you and place it before the LORD your God’s altar (Offer our token to the Lord – maybe share it with the lesser fortunate after we have offered it to God. It could even be a prayer if we have nothing else)
5 Then you should solemnly state before the LORD your God: “My father was a starving Aramean. He went down to Egypt, living as an immigrant there with few family members, but that is where he became a great nation, mighty and numerous. (In all sincerity, declare how God’s blessing helped each one)
6 The Egyptians treated us terribly, oppressing us and forcing hard labour on us (Think of all that could have gone wrong if the Lord had not intervened)
7 So we cried out for help to the LORD, our ancestors’ God. The LORD heard our call. God saw our misery, our trouble, and our oppression. ( Recall how we prayed and pleaded with God to spare us, and how He responded with compassion)
8 The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with awesome power, and with signs and wonders. (Recall how God carried us in the palm of His hand)
9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land—a land full of milk and honey. (and finally delivered us from our trouble and terror, and blessed us over and beyond)
10 So now I am bringing the early produce of the fertile ground that you, LORD, have given me.” Set the produce before the LORD your God, bowing down before the LORD your God. (And now, therefore we offer this token of our gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord)
11 Then celebrate all the good things the LORD your God has done for you and your family—each one of you along with the Levites and the immigrants who are among you. (Celebrate our blessing with friends, family, Neighbours etc)
Yes, the practise of Thanksgiving did not start in 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast and which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. Thanksgiving started much before that as we have seen.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, can we celebrate it as was prescribed Biblically by Moses (Prescribed and not just described)? Or will we just carve that same old Turkey once again.
Moses said, “[God] brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” - Deuteronomy 26:9-10 (NIV)
Nehemiah 12:43
In the midst of my worry, my pastor read Deuteronomy 26 before our church’s offering, and I was struck by its perspective. Many Bible passages about tithing assure us that God will provide. In this passage, the giver declares what God has already done.
As I think about this change in perspective, I realize that God has done great things in my life. God is my Creator and Redeemer, so I can trust that God’s provision will extend into the future. God has called me into full-time ministry. Of this, I am certain. And because God called me, God will provide.
Of course, I have financial needs. But God has been and will be faithful. When I declare how the Almighty has already provided, my heart finds certainty in an uncertain time.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, help us to remember how you have provided for us in the past and to trust you with the future. Bless our tithes so that they may bless others. Amen.
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