The Lutheran Hour
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"A Thanksgiving Victory"
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Text: 1 Corinthians 15:54b
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Blessed by the presence of the living Lord Jesus, this week and every week Christians are able to join their voices with those of the psalmist and say: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 106:1).
It was on April 26, 1607, the sailing vessels Sarah Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery dropped anchor at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It was a cold day when they reached land and 120 sick-of-the-sea souls staggered ashore. You and I might have fallen to our knees and kissed the sand. You and I, having endured the long voyage, might have decided to elect some new leaders. But that’s not what these people did. They explored the country for three days. Then, from their boat they brought out something most precious: a seven-foot, roughly hewn cross. They set the cross up on the beach, knelt down, and they began to pray. In thanksgiving they prayed that the Name of Jesus Christ might be proclaimed in this new land. In thanksgiving, they prayed the Lord might protect them and those that would come after them. Then, having said their prayers, they got back in the boat, sailed up the James River, and founded the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Did they pray, “O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endureth forever?” I don’t know, but that certainly was the intent of their worship that day.
One hundred sixty-nine years later on August 27, 1776, only 25 days after the Declaration of Independence had been signed by the last delegate, General George Washington’s army found itself trapped on the edge of Brooklyn’s East River. The British had 20,000 seasoned soldiers ready to attack the 8,000 inexperienced, raw colonials. The end as everyone could plainly see, was imminent. It would have been imminent, but for some reason, some illogical inexplicable reason, the British forces drew up short. They hesitated. Some have suggested that the British commander was waiting for his fleet to sail up the river. The fleet didn’t come. At least not when they were expected. A northwest wind arose, rains came, and the British ships couldn’t set sail.
If the British hesitated, Washington didn’t. Under the cover of darkness, using small boats, Washington led his men in retreat. With haste, carrying a few men at a time, the boats crisscrossed the river. The goal was to save as much of the army as was possible. The night passed before the job was completed. The approach of dawn would make the ferrying boats target practice for the skilled artillerymen of the British. That is the way history should have recorded the end of Washington and his men; but it didn’t happen that way. Just as the sun came up, so did a fog. A thick, unusually heavy fog rolled in. Not so thick as you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face; but thick enough so that visibility was reduced to less than 20 feet. The fog hung on. It hung on until the last colonial boat, the boat with Washington on board, launched off from shore. With the fog lifting, the British manned their cannon, training their muzzles upon the place where Washington’s soldiers should have been. But Washington’s men were gone. The best the artillery could do was lob some shells at Washington’s skiff. By the time the first gun fired, he was out of range.
Sitting as you are in your warm house far removed from that time, it is easy to think of all this in terms of coincidence, of happenstance, of luck, a benevolent throw of the dice, if you prefer. How could it be otherwise? It would be foolish to think that God sent the rains; that God directed the winds; that God brought up the fog. No, no modern, sophisticated, self-reliant man or woman would ever say Washington’s escape was anything more than a series of totally unrelated flukes of fate. That is what most people would say. Of course, almost every one of the American soldiers who recorded the events of that night give credit for these “coincidental happenings” to Divine direction. No doubt, many of those men, having been delivered by a seeming miracle, thought of the psalm: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.” But many of us have become too sophisticated to rely on God, to think of Him or thank Him.
My calendar tells me that more than three years have come and gone since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; three years since United Airlines flight 93 was crashed into a field near Johnstown, Pa. Some of you remember what you felt during those times. You remember the tears you shed for those who had died and for the loved ones who were left mourning. You remember how you flipped through your card catalogue of friends and family members, wondering, praying that they might be safe. You remember how each of us put ourselves on alert lest there be more attacks, more killing, and more hatred. You might even remember how in those days immediately following the attacks, the citizens of North America found a new interest in religion. We fell to our knees in prayer. We asked the Lord for guidance and help. Church attendance went soaring. Members of Congress put aside their differences and came together in a chorus of “God Bless America.” People turned, and returned to the Lord for protection and peace during a terrible, a tragic, a trying time in their lives.Yet as Thanksgiving Day 2004 comes to the United States, many of us no longer kneel in the sand to say thanks to the Lord for voyages begun and finished. Many of us no longer see the Lord’s hand, His love or His mercy as He spares us from countless catastrophes. Ask any pastor or priest how long it takes for people to turn from reliance upon God to dependence upon themselves. How long does it take before people stop giving thanks? When our boys and girls are no longer deployed on some foreign shore; when our nation is not going through a financial crisis, a depression, or a recession; when we no longer have an elevated, color-coded warning from the Department of Homeland Security will we say, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.”
Sadly we must confess, most of us will not. Why? I’ve spent a considerable bit of time thinking about that one. At first I asked, “Is it because we don’t believe in giving thanks?” No, that certainly can’t be it. There’s no shame or embarrassment in giving thanks. Giving thanks is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, we believe giving thanks is a good thing. That’s why we, as parents and grandparents, work hard at teaching our children to offer thanks – especially for the underappreciated gifts that they receive at birthday and Christmas time. You know, the practical gifts like clothes or a savings bond.
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good. This Thanksgiving Day, too many doubters and disbelievers will refuse to give thanks because they don’t think God is all that good. Watch the news. Go to the hospital. Stand close to an accident site. Observe the crowd after a disaster. Talk to the survivors of a catastrophe. “Why, God, why?” they ask. Do they believe that the Lord is good? Many do not. Most lay the blame of every pain and problem, hurt and horror, disappointment, displeasure, distress, dissatisfaction, disenchantment, disaster and disillusionment at the feet of God. They may not have changed the oil in their car for 20,000 miles, but when their engine blows up, it’s, “Why, God, why?” Time and again God gets the blame. He’s the fall Guy, the divine Scapegoat.
If you, this Thanksgiving Day, find yourself saying something like what I’ve just described; if you feel that God is gunning for you, then I’m here to say, you can give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. The Lord is very good. He can’t help being good. It’s part of His make-up. God couldn’t be bad if you paid Him. God is good, but we sinners aren’t always able to see it. Let me ask those of you who drive a car, how many times have you had a close call? Did you congratulate yourself for your cat-like reflexes, for your brilliance under pressure, or did you thank the Lord, who is good? Those of you who have been healthy this year, were you glad that your parents gave you such healthy genes? Did you congratulate yourself on the fact that you keep yourself in grand shape? Did you think yourself a superman or superwoman who was stronger than all the viruses, bacteria, and other creepy crawlies; or did you give thanks to the Lord who is good? Those of you who weren’t healthy, did you thank God because things weren’t worse, or because things aren’t always this way?
Did you blame God because you didn’t get the promotion that you hoped for, or did you thank God for the job you have? Those of you who will be eating turkey leftovers a week from now, will you thank God for the leftovers, or will you be complaining at having turkey one more time? O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.
But there’s more to that verse. “For His mercy endureth forever.” “Endureth,” that’s the way we used to say it when I was in first grade. God’s mercy, His pity has no end. It doesn’t stop. It keeps on going, forever. A very long time, “forever.” The book, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” quotes a Roman Emperor as saying, “I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to 14 days! O man, place not thy confidence in this present world!”
Now there you have the words of a man, a famous man, a powerful man, a rich man who is the proud possessor of every pleasure that the world can possibly offer. Still, with all of this at his command, his tally of days filled with happiness are two weeks. In contrast, God’s mercy lasts far longer! Thank the Lord for He is good, His mercy endureth forever.
After Adam and Eve sinned; after they had rejected the Lord; after they picked another master; after they followed a different path, God did not reject them. He did not strike them dead. He did not send them eternal torment. God’s mercy endured. In mercy, God called them out of their hiding places and promised them a Savior. When Abraham doubted the Lord’s promises, God did not say, “Forget it,” and walk away. His mercy endured, and Abraham became the father of nations. When King David lusted and murdered and committed adultery, God did not forget His fallen friend. God’s mercy endured, and David became an ancestor of the Savior. When Peter denied Jesus, God’s mercy continued on, and a forgiven disciple became one of His great apostles.
On Pentecost Sunday, having heard of the risen Christ and God’s message of salvation, they were cut to the heart. With a sadness which comes from knowing they had done a great wrong, they asked the disciples, “Brothers, what shall we do?” James did not say, “Look, losers, go away.” No, the word that came back to those who were broken in their souls was, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting.
Look in on Jesus as He kneels in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Upon Him is placed the sins of the entire world. Let’s make that specific: your sins, every sin, great and small, accidental and premeditated were given to Him. He does not shrug them off. God’s mercy is everlasting. Jesus carries your sins. See Him as He is arrested, beaten, falsely accused, spit upon. He does not resist; He does not complain. God’s mercy endureth forever. Jesus takes the abuse and endures the insult for you. Watch as He appears before Pilate and is whipped, His back being torn apart. Watch as He stands before Herod and his soldiers attempt to transform the Son of God into a court Jester. God’s mercy is everlasting, and Jesus stands. Walk the way of sorrows and stand upon the crest of Calvary. Look and behold God’s mercy which endureth forever. Nails are pounded through His hands and feet; but it is not the nails that hold Him on the cross. It is His mercy for you. He knows what hell is. He knows how long eternity is. That is why, as He is taunted, challenged, and laughed at, He says, “Father forgive them.”
All this Jesus endured so that you might be saved. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, His mercy endureth forever. With the knowledge that because of Jesus, death has been swallowed up by resurrection victory, you can give thanks. With faith in a Savior who is watching over you, protecting you, listening to you, strengthening you, you can give thanks. His mercy endureth forever. Do you need to know more about God’s enduring love? Call us. We will help you.
This message began by talking about people who offered thanks to the Lord for His mercy. Let me end with a similar story, albeit this one takes place on the other side of the Atlantic, off the coast of Plymouth England. Over 200 years ago a lighthouse was built to warn ships of the dangerous reefs. The architect, a man by the name of Winstanley, that’s his name, Winstanley, was so convinced of the strength of his lighthouse, that he had these words carved on the cornerstone: “Blow, O Ye Winds! Rise, O Ocean! Break Forth, Ye Elements, and Try My Work!” Less than three years later the winds did blow, the ocean did rise, and the elements did break forth to try Winstanley’s work. The lighthouse, Winstanley, and the others who were making repairs on the facility were swept away.
Years later John Smeaton, an elderly engineer, rebuilt the lighthouse. He found a new site and dug deep down to the solid rock. A sincere Christian, Smeaton had the new cornerstone inscribed with this: “Except the Lord Build the House, They Labor in Vain that Build It.” For over 90 years that lighthouse has stood every test – it was founded on rock! It is what I encourage you to do. Have your faith founded upon the rock Jesus Christ, this day and every day give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endureth forever. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for November 21, 2004
Topic: Not “Looking” ThankfulANNOUNCER: And now Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer, and along with Pastor Klaus and all of us here at Lutheran Hour Ministries, we wish all our listeners in the United States a blessed Thanksgiving.
KLAUS: We do, indeed.
ANNOUNCER: There’s a Thanksgiving related question in this letter I’m about to read, but you’ll have to follow along with me, because I think it takes a little while for us to get to the question.
KLAUS: I’ll follow, lead on.
ANNOUNCER: A listener writes, “Pastor Klaus, I was raised in a non-Christian family. For us, Thanksgiving was a day when we didn’t have to go to work, and we got to watch a lot of football on TV. I became a Christian after I got married. I realize now there are many blessings I have received from God, including knowing Jesus as my Savior. However, when I go to church on Thanksgiving, I see a lot of Christians there who don’t seem to be very thankful. When I look at their faces, they seem to be filled with the same cares as those who are not members of the church.” Now here’s the question, “Why do so many Christians seem so sad, if Jesus really is their Savior, shouldn’t they look and be thankful all the time?”
KLAUS: Well, they really should, but I think we need to put thankfulness in its proper place, and not confuse thankfulness with faith. Our thankfulness is not going to make Jesus any more or less of a Savior than He already is. Our thankfulness is always a response to God’s gift of faith. It’s not a gauge by which we measure God’s gifts. Our thankfulness is not a valve that shuts off the flow of those gifts from God to us. Having said that, I can think of a number of reasons why a Christian might look sad.
ANNOUNCER: Such as?
KLAUS: The first is an obvious one. They might really be sad. To be a Christian doesn’t mean that you’ve had some kind of spiritual surgery or vaccination that makes you immune from feelings. It doesn’t remove the sad situations from your life. If someone in your family is ill or in trouble, if there are serious financial problems, if your dog or cat runs away, for any number of reasons a person might genuinely be sad.
ANNOUNCER: But as a Christian, shouldn’t you be able to handle those situations differently?
KLAUS: Christians should. And Christians often do handle things differently, but we’re human. We have problems. We do get sad. St. Paul says of course, we mourn when a loved one dies, but we don’t grieve like the world does without hope. We know and believe in a resurrected and living Redeemer. Our God is not dead, distant, or disinterested.
ANNOUNCER: And you really spoke to that last week in your Nov. 14 message. Listeners can find that on our website at lutheranhour.org.
KLAUS: There’s another thing to say here, Mark. The listener reminds us that Christians need to remember that people are watching them. Rightly or wrongly, they’re judging our Savior by what we do or don’t do; even by how we look or don’t look. Our expression, our body language, our demeanor – these are all signals that are being read by others who want to see if Jesus really does make a difference in believers’ lives.
ANNOUNCER: That’s a point well taken. The second question today is, “Shouldn’t we look like we’re thankful all the time?”
KLAUS: Absolutely. And I think we should tell every one of our listeners today, “You better be thankful or else!”
ANNOUNCER: Somehow that doesn’t quite sound right. That sounds more like the law.
KLAUS: Of course it is. Remember what we said earlier? Our thankfulness is a response to the Gospel and God’s gift of grace. As a sinful and imperfect human being, I don’t think it’s in me or anyone else to be thankful all the time. We’re imperfectly thankful.
ANNOUNCER: And in closing, for what are you thankful?
KLAUS: For a lot of things: For not having to face the problems of life alone; for having someone, a Savior, who will listen to my prayers, my concerns, my needs, my fears, take my thanks; for something as simple as turkey on a table, and as big as salvation.
ANNOUNCER: Is it possible that sometimes when a person appears to be down or unthankful, they might just be preoccupied with something else?
KLAUS: Could be. Could be they have heartburn. The truth is, as the angels are going to tell us in another month, “We have good news of great joy.” God has given us a Savior who has lived for us, died for us, has risen for us. And for all that and more, we can be, should be, we are thankful.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.