From the Drought

Did you know that Thanksgiving feasts happened in the colonies after there had been a call to fasting? History.com's article on Thanksgiving states on the second page of the article,"Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast."
The first settlers (pilgrims) had fasted because their crops were being threatened and they were praying to the God of the harvest to intervene and save them and to bring a harvest that they could rely on through the winter. Without it they could possibly and probably die. When God was faithful to hear their petitions and met their needs not only by having just enough for them, but blessing them in abundance, they gave thanks. They gave thanks with what God had provided them-the way He had answered their prayers. They held a feast. This reminds me that our best thanksgiving comes out of our worst droughts. When we go through hard times, we seem to listen harder for the voice of the Lord as believers and we tend to think more about eternal things, as humans. Whenever there is a long drought in your own spiritual or emotional life, a time of fasting may be in order. Rest assured though that the drought and the fasting won't be forever. And when it does end, give thanks. Thank Him by using what He has blessed you with. If it is food, have a feast. If it is a job, give above your tithe to your church. If it is restored health, give of your time and energy to others. Whatever you do, thank Him. After all, thanking Him for His goodness is what praise is. That is not reserved to the last Thursday of every November. This Thanksgiving, do not just gorge yourself on turkey and familial angst. Focus on the Source of your bounty-trust me, if you look you will find bounty in your life. You find what you look for.


I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6


I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Psalm 147:7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6