In his book, Good News for Great Days, O. S. Hawkins writes, “Someone has noted that if you reduce the world population to 1,000 and put them all in one city it would have quite a distinctive look. Only 46 of the 1,000 would be Americans. Nine hundred and fifty-four would represent the rest of the world. Yet, these 46 would receive half of the income from the entire city. These 46 people’s life expectancies would be 75 years of age while the rest would be 40 years of age. These 46 people would eat 70% above the daily food requirements while 80% of the rest of the city would never get a balanced meal. In fact, the kitchen disposals of the 46 people would (provide more food than that of) better than 80% of the city.” (page 214)

Regardless of what you think about where our country is headed right now, we are still blessed with more than what the rest of the world can dream of. We still have freedom and great abundance. We have much to give thanks for and we are in sin when we do not portray a grateful attitude toward God.

Everything we have is from the hand of the Lord (James 1:17). The greatest gift from His hand is His eternal salvation. Let’s be diligent to express our praise and thanksgiving to God, not only during this holiday we call Thanksgiving Day, but every day. Let’s practice being those who are praising God continuously (Ps. 34:1).

Pastor Kirk Youngblood