“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-15
We can be thankful today that Jesus understands. We can read in Luke 4 how the devil tempted Jesus. “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:2-4) Jesus used the scriptures to overcome temptation. We can also hide the Word of God in our hearts and be helped in times of temptation. “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Luke 4:5-8) I am so thankful that Jesus didn’t fall to temptation. We would be forever lost in our sins if Jesus had not been the spotless, sinless Lamb and paid the debt for our sin. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” And we can be sure that the devil will tempt us. Luke 4:13 tells us, “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” We must keep on the whole armor of God. The devil may depart for a season, but you can be sure that he will be back. Turn to Jesus and be thankful that He is always there.
“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”
I Samuel 2:1 & 2
As the book of I Samuel begins, we read of a man named Elkanah who had two wives. Peninnah had children but Hannah had no children. Each year they went to the house of the Lord to offer the yearly sacrifice and Peninnah provoked Hannah because she had no children. I Samuel 1:10 tells of Hannah, “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.” Hannah vowed that if God would hear her prayer and give her a child, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” (I Samuel 1:20) She kept her vow and took Samuel to the house of God. “And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” (I Samuel 1:26-28) Then Hannah rejoiced in the Lord and praised His name. And the Lord blessed her and gave her more children. Have you ever prayed earnestly to the Lord? Did you make vows and promises to the Lord? Did you keep those vows? As we look forward to Thanksgiving, have you given thanks and praise to the Lord? Remember to always thank God for answering prayer in your life.
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
Our scripture reference took place during the last Passover. Jesus asked Peter and John to prepare the Passover and He has tried to prepare them, for his death. In verses 15 & 16 He says, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” He knows what is coming. Judas and the multitude do not surprise Him. He knew what was about to take place. Yet, He gave thanks. Do you take time to give Him thanks? When you are going through trials and tribulations, it may be hard to give thanks, but remember what Jesus did for you. He knew of the sufferings, and He still gave thanks, and died for us.
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
I was outside early one morning and saw a patch of morning glories in bloom. The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, but these wild flowers that came up in the corner of the yard reminded me to thank God for the mornings. Sometimes we go through trials that seem dark as night, but we can say with David, “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4&5) Did you lift your voice up in praise to God this morning? Take time each morning to thank God for letting the sun brighten your life once again, and don’t forget to thank Him for His Son bringing the Light into your life.
“And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” Luke 8:3
There are many things in this world that only the rich and famous can experience. There are places that I will never be able to visit and people that I will never meet. But I am so thankful that one day I met the Savior. And I am thankful that He has a purpose for me on earth and a place for me in heaven. These women ministered unto Jesus with what they had. We can all use what we have to serve Him. Some may say, “Well if Jesus were here today, of course I would give Him the best of anything I have.” Jesus said, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40) Use what you have to be the best Christian you can be.
“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” I Kings 19:18
This answer from God was in reply to what Elijah said in verse 10. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” God gave great victory to Elijah on Mount Carmel against the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18. But when Jezebel threatened his life, he felt defeated. He felt like he was the only person left that was still true to God. But God told him there were 7,000 that had not bowed to Baal. Sometimes in America Christians are made to feel like such a minority. There are so many well-known people who are out-spoken against the things of God. But I am thankful that there are Christians in America who have not bowed to Baal. Back in 2004, I saw part of the election coverage on television and I kept hearing over and over that the main reason people voted for President Bush was because of moral issues. It was also said that Kerry and his people underestimated the strength of the churchgoers. Hallelujah! I felt like God was saying to America just as He had said to Elijah, that we are not alone. There are still Christian people in America who are willing to stand and be counted in the beliefs on which this country was founded. Stand up for what’s right! And be thankful that you still have that privilege.
“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:21&22
This Psalm tells of many wonderful works God has done for His people. It begins, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” (Psalm 107:1&2) The chapter tells of many of the struggles the children of Israel faced as they wandered in the wilderness. The Psalmist reminds the children of Israel how the Lord fed them and delivered them from their enemies and calmed the storms. With each hardship we read, “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” We read this again and again in verses 6, 13, 19, and 28. In response each time, we read, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Verses 8, 15, 21, and 31). The writer seems to be begging us to shout aloud in praise for the goodness of God. How many times has God delivered you out of your distresses? Take every opportunity you have to declare the goodness of God. Rejoice and be thankful unto Him.
