NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH FOR BEING GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL

November is the month when we set aside time to count our blessings and be THANKFUL for everything. I started thinking about all of the things that I am THANKFUL for, and the list was so massive that I went down a rabbit hole. Then, I decided to divide my blessings into categories so that I wouldn’t spend all day listing things.

My categories started with family, friends, and health, but then expanded into other things like creature comforts and necessities. When we start diving into each category, we could spend all month listing what and who we are THANKFUL for. Creature-comforts can be a nice warm house or hot and cold water. I have always laughed that I am thankful for the man who invented the dishwasher. Lol! I do like my creature comforts, and I bet you do also.

But, what about the necessities, what exactly are those? There are typically four items that everyone considers necessary for survival. Those are air, food, water, and shelter. I think that most of us would agree with those, especially the first three items. Depending on where you live, you might survive without shelter, but it would be difficult.

When I started thinking about these necessities, it made me remember the Israelites. They left Egypt and because of their own decisions, soon found themselves in a desert. Deserts are one place where finding food, water, and shelter might be a big problem. But, as we read in Exodus 16, the Lord provided food for them.

Exodus 16:4-5

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. ⁵ On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

I don’t think that the Israelites were thrilled with the menu choice of Manna, but it sustained them and the Lord provided for them.

Then, in 1 Kings 17, I read about Elijah. The Lord sent him to a desolate place were finding food, water, and shelter would be an issue. However, the Lord told Elijah that He would provide for him by using ravens. Ravens??? Can you even imagine the thoughts that went through Elijah’s mind?

1 Kings 17:2-5

² Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ³ “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. ⁴ You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” ⁵ So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

I might have missed the verses that told “what” the ravens brought to Elijah. I didn’t see that steak or lobster was listed, but whatever it was, it sustained him, and the Lord once again provided everything that was needed.

Since food is so essential for us to stay alive, the Lord uses it throughout the Bible. I’m sure that everyone has read about how Jesus fed the multitude with only a few fish and loaves of bread.

Luke 8:1-8

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ² “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” ⁴ His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” ⁵ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. ⁶ He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. ⁷ They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. ⁸ The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

The Lord is providing for us also. No, we don’t have manna falling from Heaven, ravens don’t drop off morsels of food at our doors, and my food doesn’t seem to multiply once it is in the refrigerator. But, He feeds us and sustains us in a different way.

Matthew 4:4

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

John 6:35

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Matthew 5:6

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

This Thanksgiving, I will be counting my blessings and giving thanks for the food on the table and the people who are sitting around it. But, I need to remember to be THANKFUL every day of my life that the Lord sustains me with what I truly need; HIS word!

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!