Op-Ed: Do not forget God this Thanksgiving

By Michael Ellis

This Thanksgiving “when thou hast eaten and art full”, “beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God.”  “O give thanks unto the LORD”, “who giveth food to all flesh.” “Forget not all his benefits.” “Offer unto God thanksgiving!” (Deu 8:6-20; Psa 50:14; 103:2 136 KJV)

 

America’s Founding Fathers did not forget God.

 

246 years ago “Congress passed the following proclamation”, “recommending to the states” “a day of”—

 

“Publick and solemn THANKSGIVING to Almighty God for His mercies”—“His goodness wrought in conducting our forefathers to this western world;” “that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance;” “that He hath shielded our troops”, “pointed their swords to victory, “prospered our commerce,” “and above all, that He hath diffused the ‘glorious light of the Gospel’” (quoted from 2 Corinthians 4:4), “whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer,” (Jesus Christ) “we may become the heirs of His eternal glory.”

 

“And PRAYER”—“that He would influence our publick Councils”, “pour out His Holy Spirit on all Ministers of the Gospel”, “and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth;” “that He would in mercy” “pardon our sins, receive us into His favour; and finally, that He would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue”—issued by General George Washington, Governor Thomas Jefferson, November 1779.

 

Today would Congress “pass” and “recommend” such a Thanksgiving Day proclamation? Would future presidents “earnestly recommend” it—like Washington and Jefferson did?

 

“Nations that forget God” and “will not serve Him shall perish” (Psa 9:17; 60:12).

 

America has “forgotten God”.