November 2023
Nougat 27
What is your first response after overcoming a rough patch? How do you deal with this? For some of us, it’s a great excuse for celebrating – so we bring our tribe together. Others of us become a bit (more) introverted, failing to see God’s hand or God’s people, consumed as we are with rancor from the injustice or pain we experienced. Then there’s those of us who all but post an ad, given the amount of publicity we provide. Today’s Holy Nougat
“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” Acts 4:23-24 NIV
ThanksGiving
We may all be aware, the US and Canada are two countries that intentionally set aside a day to reflect in gratitude. While other countries have similar days for Thanksgiving, they are probably not as publicly known. The act of thanksgiving in the Americas is linked to safe landing, and I am focusing on this aspect and not the Doctrine of Discovery.
For the new inhabitants, they had braved storms, displacement, disappointment and death and made it safely to their new home. It was reason for gratitude. To the extent that it is now a public holiday in these countries.
In our nougat, the disciples-turned-apostles were just as grateful as the American settlers (perhaps even more so) for they had experienced God’s grace beyond measure. You see, those weren’t ordinary times for the nascent church. The slightest miracle or healing provided the authorities grounds for arrest and/or persecution.
And Peter was not exempt.
He had been jailed and literally placed before the council; and seen Jesus’ prophetic word come to fruition. For God poured words forth from Peter’s lips that left the Sanhedrin speechless. Directed by God’s Spirit, the unbelieving council was still obliged to release Peter and company. Their prison-assignment for that moment was done.
And immediately they returned to the saints to report the details of their experience. At the end of the testimony, the congregation burst into spontaneous worship.
Now that is Thanksgiving!
The psalmist reminds us ‘Give unto the Lord the glory due to God’s name’ is the ultimate act of worship (Psalm 29). For it is the heavenly beings being commanded to do so. Yet, we also have opportunity to praise God for provision, protection and sustenance. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we forget.
What if we opted to be thankful today in advance of the breakthroughs and blessings we seek? Maybe we can even use the things we’d like to happen in our lives as praise points. That includes intercession for others.
And of course, we celebrate the little things – a brand new day for example. Whatever it is, may this be a day of thanksgiving.
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May all we seek be found in Christ