Remembering God’s Blessings
Thursday’s Verse:
From Psalm 33:12 ESV
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!"
As we approach the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of our national Independence, we will take time in the coming days to reflect on the blessings God has given us as a people.
Two hundred and fifty years is a remarkable milestone in the life of a nation. As Americans pause to celebrate our history, Christians have an opportunity to do something more than remember famous names and important events. We remember the hand of God.
The Lord has blessed this nation with abundant resources, freedom to worship, opportunities for service, and generations of faithful Christians who proclaimed His Word. None of these blessings are accidents of history. As Martin Luther wrote in his explanation to the First Article of the Creed, God "richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life."
National anniversaries can easily become celebrations of human achievement alone. Yet believers know that every good gift comes from above. We give thanks not merely for the accomplishments of our forefathers but for the God who sustained them and us.
As we celebrate 250 years of American history, gratitude is the proper response of God's people.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many blessings You have poured out upon our nation during these past 250 years. Preserve among us the freedom to worship You and proclaim Your Gospel. Teach us always to receive Your gifts with humble and thankful hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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