READ: PSALM 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (V. 1)
Our monthly men’s luncheon for November was held in a family style restaurant and consisted of traditional Thanksgiving fare. Unfortunately, the restaurant was hit by a perfect storm of supply and cooking problems. Just after our large hungry group descended, a bus load of tourist from nearby Gettysburg arrived unexpectedly. (Someone had forgot to put their reservation on the books!) Trying to make the food stretch to meet the demands, the normally heaping platters of food contained just enough for each person to get a lunch size portion. However, some “ravenous wolves” who received the platters proceeded to load their plates to overflowing leaving little for those at the end of the tables. Those of us with empty plates humbly waited for the second helping trays to arrive, but they were meager at best, due to the supply issue and did little to satisfy our hunger. Arriving home, I complained to my wife about the “I’ve got mine you get yours selfish behavior” displayed by some of my neighbors. In fact, I have not attended any future events at this venue.
In retrospect, I should not have been surprised by the actions of these a few men. We are all fallen from birth and I have engaged in my own “ravenous wolf” moments. Honestly, I could fill pages recounting the times I have elected to pursue my own desires and needs at the expense of others without giving it a second thought. But then the Holy Spirit, that pesky voice of Jesus, continually reminds me that I should be thankful in all circumstances. Despite my inherent sinful nature, Jesus did not withhold his love, mercy, grace and forgiveness from me. Not only does he provide this life filling gifts to me, but he passes them along; in heaping amounts, to all who come to the banquet table he has set before them. His love, which knows no boundaries or limitations, is enough for all!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
How many times have you left the table of life hungry? How many times have you seen the sinful behavior of others but failed to see the specks in your own eyes? How many times have you pushed aside others to gain your own wants and desires? I suspect that if you are honest with yourselves, the answers to these questions could fill multiple chapters in your book of life. But despite the length of these chapters, Jesus is ready to satisfy your spiritual hunger; forgive you when you humbly confess your sins; and fill you with a love that will forever satisfy all of your wants and desires.
Dear Jesus, we give thanks to you for extending to us the faithful love that endures forever.