Never to be Forgotten

When the proclamation attributed to Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony, “Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts was made in 1623 did he have any idea of the ramifications?

When the proclamation attributed to Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony, “Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts was made in 1623 did he have any idea of the ramifications?

Would it surprise him to learn that Thanksgiving Day, a simple memorial to God’s goodness and provision, has morphed into an important American holiday? Could he comprehend that most people now identify Thanksgiving with a sumptuous turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings eaten before or during a football game?

Bradford’s declaration is a good reminder…
“ Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He protected us from the ravages of savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for His blessings.”

The concept of thanksgiving, still in vogue, is embedded in the Scriptures for generations. The Jewish Festivals celebrated God’s provisions. Psalms100 and 118 are among the psalms of Thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:20 and I Thessalonians 5:18 tell us to give thanks in everything. Hebrews 13:15 states that praise and thanksgiving are suitable sacrifices to offer to God.

The Pilgrims thanked God for the freedom they had longed for, the freedom to worship God without fear or persecution or interference from the government. By God’s grace they had flourished in the New World. It would be easy 300 years later to take for granted the freedom and provisions we have.

And on this eve of Thanksgiving I am reminded of all the places in the world where worshipping God in freedom and safety is not an option. As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow would you  join me in praying for the restricted nations and areas that are hostile to the Gospel? For specific visual information these places are clearly indicated on the Voice of the Martyrs prayer map. For a free copy of the Voice of the Martyrs prayer map call 1-800-747-0085 or email: [email protected]

May we never forget to thank God for all He has given us in Christ and for all He has entrusted us with in the Gospel shared by all believers in the global community whether in freedom or in persecution.