Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy spending the day with family, relaxing and sharing a good meal together. It also serves as a reminder to reflect on all the ways in which God has faithfully provided for me throughout the year. I am thankful for His care, provision, protection, and guidance in every aspect of my life. As I get older, I realize more and more that life is not always linear. There is a measure of predictability to our days, but God remains sovereign over all things and allows trials in our lives. There may be many reasons why we encounter trials, but I believe one of the underlying reasons is to learn from them and be drawn into an even deeper and closer relationship with the Lord.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read about Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, who has just learned that a great army of Moabites, Ammonites and others is marching against him. As you read through this chapter, you can learn a great deal from his response to this situation.

• The first thing he did was to seek the Lord (v3).
• He recognized God's sovereignty in the situation (v6).
• He recalled His faithfulness in previous trials (v7).
• He recognizes his lack of wisdom and capacity to handle this situation (v12).
• He declares his intent to wait before the Lord for direction by standing before Him and turning his eyes to Him (v12-13)

The Lord responds in v15 and says, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." He continues in v17, "you will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."

It says in v 21 that the next morning, Jehoshaphat appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised {Him} in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." Verse 22 states, "When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed."

How should we respond to those trials in our lives that often take us by surprise and can overwhelm us with fear? Scripture tells us to give thanks. Jehoshaphat didn't lead his army into battle with weapons, he lead it with people who were offering praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His lovingkindness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Note that this passage instructs us to give thanks in everything....that means the trials of life too. This lesson is a difficult one to master, but so rich with encouragement and promise. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." To praise and give thanks to the Lord in the midst of a trial is a sacrifice. It is a sacrifice of our will and our pride. It often takes every ounce of our will to do this, and according to this verse, we find the strength to do it in the Lord Himself.

I am thankful for God's sovereignty in my life. He is my Shepherd and I willingly submit myself and my life to His care and governance. I will praise Him on the mountaintops and I will praise Him in the midst of the storms.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 118:29)