Good morning, Lord Jesus. Steadfast and true, faithful are You. …
“Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
Many find it hard to find joy in this hard season of so much joblessness, disappointment, and struggle on so many levels. Yet, they choose to thank You. Yet, they choose to rejoice in You. Yet, they choose to praise You through the problems, to hang on to hope, to look up to the heavens, to press on through the darkness, straining toward the light of morning’s dawn. And these are the ones who grow from strength to strength, as You train their feet of faith to walk in grace upon the heights of these hard times.
A friend sent me a powerful quote of the Pilgrim’s faith: “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts … nevertheless, they set aside a day of thanksgiving” — H. W. Westermeyer. That kind of faith is a part of our heritage, as a nation and as the people of God—a people who are resilient, tenacious, persevering, full of faith and fight to hold on to hope, trusting in our God to bring us through. You are the God who keeps speaking to our spirit through every struggle we face, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you will not be burned, and the flame will not consume you …. Do not fear for I Am with you” (Isaiah 43:1-5).
Thank You for the gift of the spirit of thanksgiving—the gift of the grace to keep thanking You, praising You through all we endure. Like Job said with a declaration of faith and hope in the midst of his struggles, “Yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). Thank You for the inspiration of all who choose to set aside a day of thanksgiving through this hard season and who live out the spirit of thanksgiving through every season in their hearts. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
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Friends, please join us Friday Night, December 10th for our Messiah Ministries Celebration & Christmas Party in Lexington. Hosted this year in the Foyer and Chapel of Centenary United Methodist Church. Please bring some friends to share stories of God's glory and hear all the Lord is doing at home and abroad through Messiah Ministries! Contact Marilyn Walker, our Dir. of Ministries at DirOfMinistries@aol.com
