“Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations.” (1 Chronicles 16:15, ESV)
“That’s good, Kevin. Go ahead and pick it up.” These were my words a few weeks ago as I gave my buddy of mine a three-foot putt. We always play gimmies within the leather, but I stretched the “leather” a little bit.
God is ever faithful in the covenant he made with us, forging a way of salvation for those who believe.Do you know what happened later in the round? You guessed it. Kevin remembered me giving him a three-footer earlier in the round and gave me one in return. Because of the kindness I showed my buddy, he looked back to earlier in the round and remembered what I had done for him. The key word here is “remember.”
I don’t know if you’re still eating leftovers, but I hope you haven’t forgotten what Thanksgiving is all about yet, because its purpose is great for any day of the year. We remember what people have done for us and give thanks. More than that, we look back at what God did and continues to do for us and give him all the thanks and gratitude we possibly can.
First, we look back at what God did for us, on our behalf, in order to fulfill the covenant he has made with us. God, seeing the corruption and sinfulness of this world, at the right time, sent his Son, Jesus to earth. He lived the perfect life that none of us have the ability to live and died a death worthy enough to save us from our sins. This is what God did for us! This is the beauty of the gospel.
Second, we look to what God continues to do for us. While we still sin, he continues to pursue, love, and cherish us as his children. While we still sin, like a good father, he continues to discipline us and mold us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus. In this sanctification process of growing and maturing in Christ, he doesn’t leave us alone. He is right by our side, whether we turn to the left or right, and will never, ever leave us.
Brothers and sisters, we should not need a reminder such as a holiday to give thanks. It should be part of our spiritual makeup. But here’s the funny thing: We forget to remember. That’s part of our human makeup.
So, let me encourage you to keep looking back to what God has done and forward to what he is continuing to do in and through you. God is ever faithful in the covenant he made with us, forging a way of salvation for those who believe. May we praise him for this love and commitment and live out of who he says we are every day of the year: beloved children of God. This kind of living is our best thanksgiving!
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Rosson Anderson
November 29, 2017
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.