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In 1863, while America was embroiled in the midst of a civil war that threatened to tear the country apart, Abraham Lincoln wrote the proclamation for a national day of Thanksgiving.

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.” — October 3, 1863 - Thanksgiving Proclamation

Lincoln was a deeply devout and spiritual man. He believed in God, but his faith wasn’t cultural or philosophical. It was personal.  There was always something in the way Lincoln lived and delved into politics that gave evidence of him treating faith as a way life not a political agenda. But, Lincoln brilliantly knew how to achieve politically what his faith dictated spiritually.

Just read what Lincoln wrote about to whom we were to give thanks:

“It has seemed to me fit and proper that they ['gracious gifts from God'] should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” — October 3, 1863 - Thanksgiving Proclamation

Lincoln’s last proclamation for a national day of Thanksgiving would be April 11, 1865, four days before his assassination. But Lincoln had given this country a legacy of giving thanks to God.

There are those today that have created Thanksgiving in their own image - making the entire thing ego-centric / man-centered. However, we know from the facts of history that Thanksgiving has it’s roots in giving thanks to our Creator.  I will do my best this Thanksgiving to look beyond man and seek to give thanks to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior for all he’s given and done.

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