by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Giving Thanks to God Even in Difficult Times

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”
Psalm 106:47 English Standard Version

Sara Josepha Hale was on a thirty-six year campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. In her novel, Northwood, written in 1827, Sara wrote that America ought to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. Sara was a powerful woman being one of a few women editors of a magazine in America, Godey’s Lady Book. She used her power to encourage presidents to make such a declaration, but to no avail.

It wasn’t until the darkest moment in American history that she got the attention of an American leader, President Abraham Lincoln. Much blood had already been shed in the American Civil War when she wrote President Lincoln encouraging him to make such a proclamation. Shortly after receiving her letter, Lincoln declared that our nation should give thanks to “Almighty God” for his many blessings. In this proclamation Lincoln wrote,

“No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great [blessings]. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

Because of their rebellion against the Lord, the people of Israel were scattered among the nations. The pain of being separated from the Temple was difficult to endure. Echoed in the psalm above, they longed to sing songs of thanksgiving to God. It is often the difficulties of life that remind us of how important it is to give God thanks.

Though our nation is struggling and it seems that we are as divided as when Lincoln made his proclamation, the baptized of God are still called to give thanks to him today for his many blessings, foremost of which is the gift of forgiveness through Jesus our Lord. Beginning with this gift, we thank God for all the other blessings we have received.

No matter what you are going through, may this day be filled with thanks to your Most High God.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado