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THANKSGIVING

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THANKSGIVING

12 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

“The Lord hath been mindful of us” Psalm 115:12a

As usual, the second Monday in October has been set aside as a Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Now, at the end of the month of November, we are called by the Proclamation of our President to acknowledge the Lord for all the benefits bestowed upon the country and ourselves; for all the blessings granted unto us in the realm of nature.

Notwithstanding the judgments of the Lord over the whole world and also in our own country, the Lord has given an abundance of food. The Lord has been mindful of us in this respect. That it might become personal for our soul. On account of our sins, the Lord must condemn us, but may He be mindful of us for the sake of Christ, His Beloved Son.

Beloved congregation, the words which we have placed above this meditation: “The Lord hath been mindful of us” are applicable on this Thanksgiving day for the bountiful harvest received. If God had not been mindful of us, then we would have been consumed, and swept away by His Justice. That it might fill us with wonder and amazement, that God still bears with us.

Many have been taken away by death whose lot is forever cast. Also in our midst, there are families that were cast into mourning, and it is evident from all sides, that man goeth to his eternal home. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, but on the other hand, it shall be terrible to fall into the hands of the living God, if we have not been born again, or have never thought on God in truth. That each of us might pause for a moment and think on the blessings received — how our hearts and mouth should overflow of God’s goodness. God was mindful of us as individuals, as families, as well as in general. Of this we are all a testimonial up to this present hour. But beloved, have we ever humbled ourselves in the dust before God?

God hath been mindful of us in nature, and the covenant made with Noah has again been confirmed. Everything came in due time and God’s care was over man and beast. In general, the hope of the husbandman was not put to shame, but the earth brought forth in abundance. If the Lord had rewarded us according to our sins and iniquities, and according to the abominations of this nation, then He could have withheld the blessings, and sent ruin and destruction upon our fields.

But the heavens still showered blessings upon us so that nothing was lacking. The fields have brought forth abundantly, and our storehouses are filled with the precious fruit of the field. That we might humble ourselves before God, and that our tongue might praise His Name. The Lord hath again taken reasons out of Himself; and for Christ’s sake has richly blessed us.

All the blessings in nature and in grace flow from the Father of Lights. He is the source and fountain of all good. And more over, the earth would have brought forth nothing else but thorns and thistles, if it were not for the fact that Christ’s blood had flowed upon this cursed earth; but now God’s footsteps drop fatness, and the valleys are covered over with corn. Psalm 65. If we might have a deep impression of this in our hearts, then we would also cry out on this Thanksgiving day - “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” Would we then not be willing to bow into the dust if our eyes and heart were opened for the greatness of this God who granted this all out of pure grace? But, beloved, we become aware of the fact that through our deep fall, we have lost our attentiveness. Of ourselves we tread on, and trample upon the benefits and forget God who gave them. Let us question ourselves in this hour how often during this past season our hearts were humbled when we beheld the precious green fields, and the fully laden orchards. Must we not admit with shame that our heart is as a stone, and that we live as though we are entitled to this? Also in this respect, we have sunk deeper than the irrational creatures. Let us confess sincerely, that our life by nature is nothing else but departing from God, forgetting God, and forsaking God. The true thankfulness is not found by us.

God must place us by the benefits, and His Spirit must lead us to that God, who also in this past season was mindful of those who have forgotten Him. And let us never think that this will ever change for the better, but rather that it will diminish until there is nothing left.

Without Christ we cannot observe Prayer Day, nor Thanksgiving Day. He is the only sin-offering, trespass-offering, but also thank and praise offering that is acceptable to God. To be united through faith with Christ is essential shall it be well with us for eternity.

Also at this time I may not dismiss you without first pointing out to you the necessity of being united in faith with Christ. Belly and meat shall be destroyed, and corn and wine give no comfort in life or death. That Christ might become precious for us ere it shall be forever too late.

“The Lord hath been mindful of us.” Also in this year He gave us His Word, which can make us wise unto salvation. He hath been mindful of us, not only for the body, but has set before us the bread of life, which came down from heaven, and giveth life to the world. A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, has been proclaimed, so that the thirst of our soul may be quenched. Christ has been preached as the way, the truth, and the life. The thoughts of God from eternity, and the decree of God were considered. But alas! Now we have full storehouses, and barns, but heads full of that which pertaineth to the world, and hearts that are empty of God and Christ.

God has been mindful of us, but who in our midst has been mindful of God. The streets are filled, places of public amusement crowded, the stores filled with food and clothing, but upon the market of free grace — is it not as though everything has died out? We must search to find one here or there, who is still buying without money and without price.

It is a national Thanksgiving day, but in general it is a day for eating and drinking, and to go visiting. But if we realized the sad condition of the Church, and how far God has removed His Spirit, then it might well be a day of mourning and fasting, as in the days of old.

Yes, there is every reason to be joyful, because of the outward blessings, but I ask you, — what is mentioned about this? By some it is still mentioned, but if we are sincere, then we must admit that the acknowledging of God is removed very far. And instead of despising these outward blessings, we do well to appreciate them. But to truly appreciate them, then it must also be granted from above.

Think of the great barrenness in God’s Church and in our hearts. What fruit has been manifested from all the blessings bestowed? Have we heard of one out of our midst that came to repentance, or of one who lost his false ground? of anyone whose bands were loosed, or brought back to the heart of God? Do we hear that God is still working in the rising generation? Have we noticed that our children could no longer serve the world and sin, and that they came under the banner of King Jesus?

Let every one judge for himself as to how matters stand. Many times we must say, and that with all respect, that it appears as though God permits matters to run their own course. How seldom do we hear that God still performs wonders, and what a leanness there is in the soul of God’s children. We are compelled to live so much upon that which has happened in the past. It is true, there is still some support in life, but the fellowship is removed very far. We do not exclude ourselves in this matter, and would exhort you to begin with yourself.

And what is the life of the ministers of the gospel, elders, deacons and the people of God? Should not shame cover our faces? And the fault does not he with God, but entirely with us. We have forsaken God, the Fountain of living waters, and hewn out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. And because we forget God, therefore it is so easy for us to forget each other, and live our own life through to the end. The brotherly love is removed so far, and what breaches and divisions, biting, and devouring.

God’s Church lies scattered as bones at the grave’s mouth, but who is grieved over these things? The truth is done violence, and is denied, but who is truly sorrowful for this? We appease ourselves with religion and profession, but who is concerned about the dethroning of Christ, or the honor of God?

The Spirit of God is grieved, and quenched, and we might well fear that God might remove the light from the candlestick, and take away the truth. It is dark in the world, and because God is hasting to bring His people home, it would be appropriate on this Thanksgiving day to call to each other: “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord.”

The heavens are filled with dark clouds, because of the impending judgments of God, but the darkest cloud is: “O woe unto them, when I shall have departed from them.” We refuse to blush with shame, and we continue in sin, but depend upon it, that God will go through with His justice. O that we might in this day consider that which will be to our eternal peace.

Young men and young women, O, that it might become a prayer day for you. God is mindful of you. Many a one has left the truth, turned their backs to the truth, or listens to a false doctrine - selling his soul for a pottage of lentiles. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’ Do not turn away from the truth, but make use of the means of grace, while you are still in the day of grace.

O, that God might think on you, and His Spirit might work in your hearts, to make you truly ashamed before God. There is still a way of escape to flee from the wrath to come. Christ is set before you as the only qualified and complete Saviour, Who is willing to save. Might you become reconciled with God through Him. He is now your Judge, but might He become your Redeemer.

Parents, men and women, God was mindful of you in the realm of nature, but may He also be mindful of you in grace while it is still the time for seeking and finding. The door is still open.

And to you who are advanced in years, may you bow your stiff knees before God, pleading for mercy. Who knoweth, but that God might deliver your poor soul from destruction, even though it is at the eleventh hour.

And such as think themselves converted, but of which God is not aware, may you be uncovered. Do not deceive your precious soul. We must know out of what great distress and death God has delivered us, and outside of Christ, we shall not be able to meet God. That all the benefits may never testify against you, but may be to your eternal profit.

People of the Lord, the Faithful Jehovah has been mindful of you, and is still mindful of you. In Christ He was gracious and good. That our souls might be truly humbled, and that our conduct might be in the fear of His Name. Do not forget God nor His benefits. You have been purchased at a great price. Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your Spirit, which are God’s.

Grant yourselves no rest until you have the assurance through the Holy Spirit, that God has been mindful of you. Let there be a continual remembering and meditating on the eternal love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. My meditation of Him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord. That shall be the beginning of Thanksgiving here upon earth, which shall have its completion and perfection in the thanksgiving in Heaven, when we shall be delivered from our unthankful heart, to praise God perfectly. Amen.

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 november 1976

The Banner of Truth | 22 Pagina's

THANKSGIVING

Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 november 1976

The Banner of Truth | 22 Pagina's