WASHINGTON’S THANKSGIVING

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”

Years ago Parris and I went to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. It was similar to any other large home from that era except for one distinct difference. It was on the last stop of the guided tour, the tomb where George Washington’s body was laid to rest where I saw it. I was standing at the tomb, reflecting on the greatness of this man and the obvious touch of the sovereignty of God upon his life when my eyes looked up. Just above his body were these words, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”. Washington obviously had a personal encounter with Christ for himself. I know not all of the founding fathers were Christians, some were deists and a few agnostic, but some were really born again Christians; Washington was one of those. Our national holiday, Thanksgiving, was part of Washington’s legacy, here is what he said about our national indebtedness to the Lord.

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.”

Have a great Thanksgiving and remember to give thanks to our Lord.