Psalm 92:1 “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High”

Psalm 116:17 “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

On September 25, 1789, Congress passed the proposed Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that enshrined religious liberty as our nation’s first freedom. On that same day, Congress proposed and ultimately passed (three days later) a Joint Resolution of the following:

“That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States, to request that he would 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, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.”

As a response to that resolution, President Washington established our nation’s first official Thanksgiving. His proclamation contained the following:

“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 to 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 especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

The juxtaposition of these two events on the same day is stunning. Our founders whole-heartedly supported the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment while passionately proclaiming a public day that gratefully acknowledged our Almighty God. It was no violation of foundation principles, in fact, just the opposite. As Washington stated: “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.” It is our duty to do so today as well!

PLEASE PRAY THAT AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD REMIND OUR NATION OF ITS DUTY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.