“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
— Psalm 103:1-5
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on God’s goodness and mercies. Often, when we experience victory or success, we forget the struggles we faced and the God who delivered us. This season, as many Americans breathe a sigh of relief after the recent elections, there is renewed hope for economic and social transformation. With the election of Donald J. Trump—a leader under whom the nation previously experienced economic stability and improved social life—there is anticipation that he will again lead with policies to uplift Americans.
It is encouraging to see that the President-Elect acknowledges the need for God’s help to achieve good things. However, my heart is burdened for the Church. Many prayed fervently throughout the campaign and election season, seeking God’s intervention. Yet, the work is far from over. Victory can be fleeting if the Church lets down its guard in prayer during the next four years. We must continue interceding for the government—executive, legislative, and judicial branches—that they may be instruments in God’s hands to bring about righteousness and restoration.
Our nation’s education system faces significant challenges, with institutions increasingly influenced by ideologies that erode foundational values. Many universities have become platforms for anti-Semitism and agendas that contradict biblical principles. Generous funding from questionable sources often leads these institutions to promote doctrines that undermine the very nation that nurtured them. The future of this nation hangs in the balance as young Americans are being exposed to an education filled with knowledge devoid of God. This toxic trend can be reversed through fervent prayers—and the time to act is now.
Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-28 serves as a warning: A man sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The man’s servant asked their master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ And the man answered, ‘An enemy did this’. Mathew 13:24-28. The Church in America must not sleep, thinking the battle is won. The enemy never rests but continues to strategize against the Church and the values we hold dear. History shows that Israel often fell into captivity after victories, forgetting the God who delivered them.
As the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
As we celebrate Thanksgiving in 2024, let us enjoy the feasting and fellowship. But above all, let us remember God and the importance of prayer. Let us commit the incoming government to God’s guidance and pray that His counsel will prevail in every policy and decision.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
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