The First Thanksgiving Proclamation (#65)
Bible version used: KJV
#65 THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
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 implore His protection, aid and favors...
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be that we may then all united in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
--George Washington, 1789
Our founding fathers openly recognized God. They were aware of our need for God if we were to be a healthy nation. George Washington said: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” They knew that if the nation was going to work, its people needed to voluntarily live by God’s rules.
Times have changed. We may be the only culture in the world that openly acknowledges God in our constitution, on our money, and on Thanksgiving, but refuses to allow God to be named in any of our public institutions. As a nation we are working hard to push God out of our lives.
Ignoring God isn’t unusual. The history of the world is a story of people turning away from God. Amazingly, God hasn’t turned away from us –yet. But if we do not repent, He will.
Government cannot turn us back to God. Turning back to God requires a change of heart. When we get out hearts fixed, our priorities line up, and things work better.
You can get this change of heart by giving up your old life and turning to God. He sent His son Jesus to close this huge gulf between us and God. So when we turn to God in the name of Jesus, we are accepted as if we never sinned—the Bible calls it being clothed with Jesus’ clothes in front of God. In the name of Jesus you can belong to God and busy yourself in His world. In the name of Jesus you can once again belong to others. When you belong to others, your life won’t be sucked dry—you’ll be like a mountain spring—fuller and fresher than you ever imagined. That’s because you keep turning to God to fill you up, and He has all the resources in the universe at His command. It’s like being wealthier than you could ever imagine.
So I hope you will turn your face towards God this Thanksgiving. Do more than thank Him for good things in your life. Give your heart to Him and thanksgiving will become a year-round event in your life.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:12, 18
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Dear God: Thank you for the wonderful gifts You have poured out on our nation. In the name of Jesus, who died for my sins, forgive me and forgive our nation for enjoying Your gifts while trying to live without You. I repent of how I have been living and gratefully give my heart to You today. Help others in our nation to turn to You. Amen.