His Mercy Endures Forever

It’s that time of the year again. Autumn leaves are falling and farmers are out in the fields gathering in the bounty of their labor. With the harvest naturally comes thanksgiving. President Lincoln first set aside a national day of Thanksgiving here in America in 1863. For most Americans, Thanksgiving brings to mind a scrumptious feast of carved turkey, dressing, mashed or sweet potatoes, gravy, corn, squash, rolls, pie, etc. And there’s a good chance this celebration is followed by a nap or the afternoon football game.

But before you feast this coming Thursday, come into God’s house to hear His Word and thank Him for all His blessings. Those blessings are countless, involving both body and soul:

First Article of the Creed 

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.

Second Article of the Creed 

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.

Third Article of the Creed 

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

What else can we say to all these blessings but “this is most certainly true.” The Triune God has given us everything necessary for body and soul. Therefore, let us give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever!