Psalm 107:1-7 KJV
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

I think as a child my life was not so difficult. With the passing of time any wounds often healed, and anything joyful often remembered with the sweetness of memories cherished. Yet also think on the journey of life at age 53 and realize not every day was easy or did every pain ever heal as quickly, for my own suffering last 14 years of chronic pain before healing, but what about spiritual struggle, and not the physical struggles of life. An my reflection stops at the moment of fresh morning dew. The moment of early devotions to the dawning of struggles of the day. I think my struggles are not the struggles of Israels who whined and complained what seemed their whole journey and then I halt and realize not all those years of the wilderness is recorded, not every waking or sleeping hour recorded. The just of the journey and the spiritual struggle recorded for our benefit. In New Testament we see Jesus' own journey as he goes to the cross because of the will of the Father. His plight of having the cup of the cross removed and yet not if it was God's will for this to be done.

The other day i watched online as people shook the hands of a two little otters whose hands fit through a hole in a glass. The others needing that human contact as much as the human wanted to just feel the grip of the little otter. I sure there is a point here, other then the image was sweet. I can not seem to get it out my mind. I think how much we need the image of God's hand shake in our life even through the barrier between our world and his world as he lives beyond and above the clouds. I think how much we need the evidence of his hand holding our hand in life and we see it through the passing of time often through the journey not always every moment of the day, but his hands always there wanting for us to reach out to him in our time of need. That time when we are a thirst for his word to deliver us from the troubles in the wilderness. Yet those days where the journey is only one foot in front of the other with no trouble or the calm before the storm, we wonder what is next in the journey, what must I learn in this life not only about one's self but one's faith. Faith is not easy journey, but one to be thankful for. We learn to trust in God when we want to run even away from him at times, or push away from his direction. No one talks about the desire to flee in the wilderness, and I guess if they did it was small group or as individual. The wilderness itself keeping going on in place because of provision and supply not abundance but daily need was meet.

We are countdown to Thanksgiving and today scripture the remnant the redeemed of the people should give thanks. The redeemed being those saved by God almighty. The God who took them through the wilderness and call them from the four corners of the earth to the promise land of hope and faith. If you ever watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory each child got a golden ticket, but not everyone would get the promise. Everyone would disobey the man that owned the Chocolate factory and be sent home with candy bars. No one receiving the promise until a little boy said to the man I not worthy either, he taken an extra gobstopper. He got the promise because of his honesty. The paradise inside the chocolate factory for all his loved ones. Yet it was honesty was more valuable then what he stole. His admission ot sin, got him paradise, much like our honesty of our sin with God gets us a ticket into heaven. We get a golden pass. We get the hope of tomorrow because of faith in Christ Jesus. We become the remnant of faith.

The redeemed are not perfect people but people honest with God about their failings, about their imperfection about their need of him and their need of his protection in their life, the need of his foundation in their life so much that he gives them a place in his kingdom, because of their belief in him to do the impossible in their life. Moses cried out to God when the mob surrounded him with their complaints, and finally the people got it that need to ask God for deliverance. They finally understood their deliverance came from God.

We the believers in Christ, are the redeemed through the blood of the Lamb, through the word of God. As Thanksgiving day approaches we need to praise Him and give our thanksgiving to God first and for most. For being a God of not only our spiritual healing but also our physical healing. Being thankful that he is the one that calms are storms. The God that performs those miracles in our storms that according to his will in our life and allows our sorrow and grief to be witness to those around us of our own struggle as a people of faith that God will provide or take us through the storm as a testimony of the power of God working in our life even in our anger, frustation, and sorrow. It is learning to accept God's will in our life, praying for his mercy in our life and His ability through his Spirit to give us that comfort we need. His redeem knows the mercy and salvation of their God.

This thanksgiving let us begin with grateful hearts for the journey of faith. Today is really day nine of the countdown, My numbers are all messed up, I seem not to be able to countdown this year. Anyway, Let us be thankful for a time of open praise to the Lord.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for the journey of faith and let your redeem say God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Titus 2:13-14 KJV
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.