At the beginning of the year, it seemed as if every church far and wide was proclaiming 2020 to be a year of vision. As well as a year of hope, growth in the church body, and all-around a year where much would be accomplished. But that all came crashing down only three months later. As coronavirus, or COVID-19, found its way all across our world it changed the lives and the shape of the world in ways never before seen. It’s been a tough year and as such many find themselves in a constant state of complaining. But as Thanksgiving looms on the horizon the church needs to remember that there are still reasons to be thankful even in a year such as this.
It’s true that this is not the year that anyone hoped for, planned for, or could have even imagined back in January. But that doesn’t mean we have no reason to be thankful. The Bible tells us that God works everything for the good of those who believe. That applies even to a worldwide pandemic and a year that’s been hard on everyone. The church can find joy and a reason to offer thanks to Lord by just knowing He has a purpose in this. Faith will grow, the lost will be found, and we will all come out better on the other side.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Even in the church, we often associate our reasons to be thankful to our level of comfort. If things are going well and we feel good then we have a reason to be thankful. But if nothing is going right. If we just don’t feel good. Apparently, we have lost every reason to offer thanks. But that simply should not be the case, especially for the church. Our comfort level and our thankfulness should not be connected. Because we have so many reasons to be thankful that extend far beyond our current circumstances.
Look at the early church and how they met even the hardest situations in life, still giving thanks to God. The Apostles left the courtroom rejoicing after being threatened and beaten. Paul and Silas were found in a dark damp jail cell still praising the Lord. Even after being severely beaten all for just preaching the gospel. If these men can still find a reason to be thankful during their circumstances then so can we. In a year where we simply haven’t been able to do all the things we wanted to. Or have faced only mild inconvenience in our daily lives.
Acts 5:40–41 (ESV)
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 16:22–25 (ESV)
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
They were still thankful for the same reason we should be. Because the greatest reason we have to be thankful lies in our salvation. No matter what has happened this world is still not our home. A better place has been prepared for us in heaven. It’s been a crazy year but all our sins are still forgiven. Cast as far as the East is from the West. That hasn’t changed so be glad in knowing the future that is in store for you.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
John 14:3 (ESV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
God hasn’t changed either He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. All the promises of His word still hold true as well. These are reasons to be thankful because we know that God hasn’t left us to stand alone this year. No matter what we face even in the years to come God will be right there with us.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
19 God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
You could say this year has really stunk and you would be absolutely right. This year hasn’t been the most fun one any of us have ever had. But you can still be glad in it and have a reason to be thankful. Because you know that you are saved and you know the living God who is in control of all things.
The truth of the matter is that all those things we have been upset about missing out on this year are the very things we will be leaving behind when we move from this life to the next. Vacations, shopping, events, parties, even the normal holiday festivities will all be left behind as old articles of this world when the Lord comes back for His church.
1 John 2:17 (ESV)
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
2 Peter 3:10 (ESV)
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
So instead of being sadden by the worldly things we haven’t had or been able to do this year. Or upset over the minor inconveniences we have had to deal with such as masks. We should be thankful that we serve a loving God who is greater than this world. Who we have had the opportunity to see clearer this year than ever before. As all the normal distractions of this world that so often block our view have disappeared.
These are all great reasons to still remain thankful this year even though it’s been a tough one on all sides. But this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of reasons we still have to be thankful. Or even mention all the provisions we can still attribute to the Lord who provides for His people. As we still have food on the table, clothes on our back, a roof over our heads, and many of us have even been able to retain employment through all the pitfalls of this year.
While many have been sick and even contracted the coronavirus, many more have remained healthy. While our country has its fair share of problems we are still blessed to be here. Somewhere that offers stability and safety for our families. Don’t simply brush past these great blessings to only focus on the bad of 2020. But thank God for all this because it is by His grace, love, and mercy we have all these things.
Matthew 6:31–33 (ESV)
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
James 5:13–14 (ESV)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 1:17 (ESV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
You can spend this Thanksgiving with a frown on your face looking back over the year only looking at the bad. That’s really up to you. But just know that doing so dishonors the God who has given you so much to still be thankful for.
Even during the worst years and hardest times of our lives we as Christians still have a multitude of reasons to be thankful. So this Thanksgiving let’s not match the world’s attitude and see no reason to be thankful in 2020. Instead, let us give thanks unto God for all He has done and is still doing for us every day.
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