It seems strange to entitle a piece for my blog, “Day before Thanksgiving.”  Martin Luther writes in connection with the first article of the creed what our daily attitude toward God ought to be, “For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him.”  “For all” what are we to be thankful?  Luther lists several items.
God has made me and all creatures, given my body and soul, eyes, ears…my reason and senses and still takes care of them. Luther adds clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, spouse and children, land, animals, and all I have.  God is not stingy about this but daily provides me with all that I need in my life.  He also defends me and guards and protects me.

Why does God do all this?  Out of his fatherly divine goodness and mercy, not because we deserve it or are worthy of it.  “For all this, it is my duty to thank…”

The closing words of Jude are fitting here, “To the only God, our Savior, through Christ Jesus our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.”

As we enjoy his bountiful blessings tomorrow, we give thanks for all God has provided us, which is everything every day.