In the United States, we're celebrating Thanksgiving this week. For most, it's a pleasant time shared with family and friends. There are sporting events and parades. Lots of stores use this time to kick off the holiday shopping season. And there's usually plenty to eat!

And once in a while, we even remember to be thankful.

There are lots of reasons to give thanks. It doesn't always seem that way, but if we put our mind to it, we can usually think of more reasons for being thankful than for complaining.

In the Bible, there's a beautiful piece of Hebrew poetry that expresses one man's thankfulness to God. The author talks about blessings like health, rescue from enemies and material goods. He also talks about spiritual blessings, like God's justice in this world.

In my favorite section of this poem, the author talks about the greatest blessing of all:

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:8-12).

I love that imagery. "As far as the east is from the west." All of my mistakes, all of my failings, all of my sin… God has taken it all away. So far away that it can never be connected with me again. "As far as the east is from the west."

I'm thankful that He forgives all of my sins, giving me a fresh start every day
I don't know what you're thankful for this year. I'm thankful that God is slow to anger and quick to forgive. I'm thankful that He treats me with mercy, not harsh justice. I'm thankful that He forgives all of my sins, giving me a fresh start every day.

Be thankful for that as well. God's forgiveness is available to you, just as it is to me, just as it was to that Hebrew poet so many years ago. Receive His forgiveness and be thankful. I'd love to tell you how. Visit www.hopeforlife.org or e-mail me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org

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