Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The same people who had signed the Mayflower Compact in 1620 had endured a difficult year as winter approached in 1621. Yet, they remained faithful. In the midst of a severe drought that threatened to destroy their harvest, the pilgrims prayed and fasted. In response to their faithfulness, the Lord brought crop saving rain. Indeed, the pilgrims had much for which to be thankful as they established a feast that we now celebrate as Thanksgiving.
Their faithfulness and thankfulness provided witnessing opportunities to the American natives who observed the pilgrims and their relationship to the Lord. Because of their strong testimony, a native remarked:
“Now I see that the Englishman’s God is a good God; for he hath heard you, and sent you rain, and that without such tempest and thunder as we used to have with our rain; which after our Powawing [Indian worship] for it, breaks down the corn; whereas your corn stands whole and good still; surely, your God is a good God.”
Similarly today, a thankful and faithful spirit provides us opportunities to let our light shine before men. May we not squander an opportunity during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons to let others around us know where our thankfulness is directed, towards the Lord.
PLEASE PRAY THAT TODAY’S AMERICAN CHRISTIANS WOULD USE A THANKFUL SPIRIT AS A WAY TO LET OUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN. Others should see us act as if our God is a good God. He is!