Pastor's Column 11/9/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

²⁶ “When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.”    Genesis 4:26, NLT

“When To Say Thanks!”

In the Biblical world, evidence of people giving thanks to God was through offerings. Throughout much of the Old Testament we see instances of people expressing their gratitude to God through gifts of food, drinks, and the sacrifice of animals. A major act of expressing thanksgiving to God often is overlooked. It is the ‘worship” of God which is a both an act and symbol of gratitude to God for His goodness. The worship of God being restricted during the Exle in Babylon – caused the Israelite scribes and compilers of the Word, to arrange a narrative of Creation and the beginnings which pointed to a special devotion to the God of Israel.  Early on we see the brothers Cain ad Abel offering sacrifices to God, which was an act of gratitude to God. Abel succeeded, for he gave a blood sacrifice which was the more sacrifice than his brother Cain’s gift. In reading Genesis 4:2-4, one gets the impression Cain’s offering to God was more about expediency, than about Gratitude or worship. Abel gave up a young lamb, to which he had become attached, as a living breathing animal. Yet, Abel did this willingly out of his respect for God.  Gratitude always, must convey a sincere attitude of worship and gratitude. Many ears later, Cain’s son, Seth became a father. His son Enosh was the grandchild of Adam and Eve. His birth brought hope for the future, Genesis 4: 26, tells us when the grandson of Adam and Eve was born, Adam named him Enosh. Although his name spoke to our human frailty – the times of his birth caused people to worship and give thanks to God as community. However, testing are the times in which we live, we must seek to show our gratitude and thanks to God.  Waiting on a perfect time to thank God is not warranted. In everything give thanks to God. He’s worthy of our praise!  It’s always good to say thanks!