Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, Psalm 3312.

400 years ago, an unlikely group of Christian pilgrims

landed on the shore of Plymouth, Massachusetts in November 1620.

Through that harsh first winter, without proper shelter,

they were attacked by disease and nearly half of them died.

After bringing in their first harvest the next year,

this group of believers forsook the temptation to dwell

on their losses, and instead chose to acknowledge God

for all he had provided.

This was the first Thanksgiving in America.

In the last 400 years, this same desire to honor God

has provided the key to overcoming challenges from every side.

The Americans have been outnumbered and oppressed.

They have been plagued by financial setbacks, disease, and famine.

They have waged war against evil both within and beyond

the borders of their nation.

Throughout history, the challenges have never ceased.

And today, like the first pilgrims,

we too can overcome our present obstacles by putting trust in God.

This Thanksgiving, despite the hardships we face

or the uncertainty that lies ahead,

let us give thanks for our spiritual harvest in Jesus Christ.

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