Thanksgiving Message in an Age of Moral Relativism

Have you observed, as I, that too many Americans and for that matter much of the world, no longer believe in the God of the Bible, we no longer have any standard for truth. Some even quarrel whether there is such a thing as truth. That’s how foolish it can get. The latest evidence of this assault on standards and reality comes in the form of turmoil about what to teach regarding Thanksgiving in America’s schools. A holiday that was designed to bring all Americans together is now itself a point of division and controversy. This is what happens when we accentuate our differences rather than our common ground. This is what happens when people who are in a constant state of anxiety, unhappiness and lack of gratitude gain influence. Observing Thanksgiving was once so easy. It was once so pleasing. It was once so … pure.

Did you know there are over two dozen references to the word “thanksgiving” in the Bible – all but six in the Old Testament? For the ancient children of Israel, thanksgiving was a time of feasting and fasting, of praising God, of singing songs. The Pilgrims took them seriously. The idea of giving thanks to God with a feast was inspired by that knowledge of the Bible. In a very real way, the Pilgrims saw themselves as a chosen people of God being led to a Promised Land. At the table, they acknowledged God’s good providence and blessed the God of Heaven who brought us over the furious ocean. For what could sustain us but the Spirit of God and His grace? Contrary to what the historical revisionists might say, those first Pilgrims did not murder their Native American friends. They invited them to dine with them.

It wasn’t until George Washington, the republic’s first president, proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, as a day for thanking God for bringing America through its trials, that an official holiday was marked. Apparently, Washington, also, was a student of the scriptures. He believed that America would be blessed only if it acknowledged the source of all blessings. Here is what he proclaimed in 1798:

“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 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...Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the twenty-six 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 single manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition’s of His providence...

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private institutions, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us) and to bless them with good governments, peace and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue..."

These ideas could only become controversial in an age of moral relativism. There is no God. There is no truth. There is no right and wrong. Is that what we want to teach the next generation? As for me and my house, we will be thanking the Lord for all He has provided for us. How about you, the reader?