Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2
The Indians helped the pilgrims of Plymouth. You know that and I know that.
We also know the pilgrims and the Indians celebrated Thanksgiving together. But the people who work at Plymouth Plantation, a recreation of an English village and Native American home site, say some folks have forgotten that relationship.
One Native American commented, "People will say things that will hurt you."
What kind of things?
People forget. Things happen. History happens, and people forget.
I wonder if the Lord doesn't oftentimes think His people are prone to a mental amnesia that causes us to forget His benevolence and kindness -- things that ought to bring continuous thanksgiving to our hearts.
The Lord gives us 70, 80, 90 years of good health, but we forget those years and accuse Him of not caring when we start to run down. He has blessed and taken care of our nation for many years, but when the economy is not as healthy as we think it ought be, all too often God is accused of having gone on vacation.
Maybe that's why the Psalmist reminds us to bless the Lord and keep remembering all the wonderful things He has done -- physical blessings, most certainly, spiritual blessings, most assuredly.
The Lord who sent His Son to live, die, and rise so we might be rescued from certain damnation wants us to remember and give thanks.
This is the first of my resolutions for the coming year is: Bless the Lord and do not forget.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord as the old year draws to a close, You have my gratitude for salvation. Thank You for blessings I cannot number, many of which I will never know. May I, in this New Year, bless You and remember Your gifts. In the Name of Jesus, my greatest blessing. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 12-13 Revelation 20
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