Ardent American Patriot and Lover of Israel
Thanksgiving – the unseen
"For every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer." ~ Timothy 4:4-5
We understand that this "Thanksgiving Day" season is the perfect time to offer up "thanks" for the things we richly possess and for the people who enrich our lives; for the food on our tables, the roof over our heads, the clothes on our backs, the vehicles we own and the country we live in.
Depending on the blog read, television channel viewed, web page scanned, music file listened too or talk show observed – we are exposed to a very broad scope of opinions for celebrating this "Thanksgiving Day" season… or not.
In America especially, we have a very skewed way of celebrating the things we "see", feel and otherwise, partake in. We "see" the reason behind "Thanksgiving Day", be it for a religious, secular, political, educational or traditional purpose.
We possess volumes of stories told of a previous individual, family or nation’s sacrifice and gain wrought from tribulation, starvation, oppression, recession, proclamation, restitution, constitution, restoration and more. We "see" all these things plainly enough and remain thankful.
What about giving thanks for the "unseen?"
Should we not carefully 
consider giving thanks to God for those things generally hid from our eyes; the crippled and maimed war veteran, the faith of a dying loved one, the crushed by hopeful wife of a fallen police officer, the physically extended doctor and nurse, the parent wasting away in some nursing home, the young person scorned for remaining pure, the wanting missionary, that special school teacher, mentor or uncle who cared and still, many others?
And, what about God? He remains "unseen" yet all of creation reveals His handiwork.
"For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse." ~ Romans 1:20
And, what of Jesus Christ? Are we thankful for His "unseen" work of faithfulness to die in our place long ago? His resurrection? His coming again? His eternal rule in heaven and coming back to establish His kingdom on earth?
"God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." ~ I Corinthians 1:9
This "Thanksgiving Day" season should hold a much deeper significance for those who follow after Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Are we really thankful for the "unseen" love God has for this world and all of mankind?
"But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God." ~ John 3:14-21
Personally, I am thankful for Jesus Christ granting me forgiveness of sin and giving me the promise of eternal life – as indeed, he has toward my wife and most of my children.
What, my friend, are you thankful toward – seen and unseen?
Truth Hiker – 2008 SOBO Appalachian Trail Hike4Fathers
IceRocket Tags: creation,God,prayer,thanksgiving,America,religion,secular,political,stories,starvation,tribulation,veteran,faith,parent,Jesus Christ,Bible
