God’s Goodness
What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? For most people, it’s one thing: food, and lots of it! Research suggests that the average American will eat 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving, which is over twice the daily recommended amount (and more than two large dominos pizzas combined). It would take nearly 500 minutes of running just to burn off those calories! Thanksgiving meals are all about overindulgence.

I grew up in North Carolina. The American south is known for a lot of things — bass fishing, twangy music, Nascar races, humid weather, or Nicolas Sparks. All of those things are spot on, but there is one jewel in the crown of southern culture — hospitality. My family prides themselves in throwing over-the-top dinner parties where people leave with a full stomach and sore cheeks from laughing and chewing.

One November afternoon, my wife’s family from New York joined my southern family for Thanksgiving. This was one of the happiest days of my life. It was wonderful to have our families from all over the country under one roof, surrounded by pecan pie. My Aunt was the host and she went all out. The buffet was big and bountiful. There were four meat choices, a dozen side choices, two types of gravy, six types of pie, and eight types of cake. It was both inspiring and insane. All of my family gathered around the table to dig in. Most people started eating like they were in a contest, but that speed started getting slower and slower as they worked through the first course.

After finishing the first plate, everyone was starting to feel full, but my aunt insisted people get more. After struggling through the second helping, she still insisted they have one more plate. Just as everyone was ready to slip into a food coma, the dessert plates come out. It was a marathon of a meal. Here’s the wild thing. Once the meal was over and everyone had their fill, there were still enough leftovers to feed a small army. It was too much food, but that’s kind of the point of a Thanksgiving feast, isn’t it?

READ: Psalm 23:5-6
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The Psalms are a collection of ancient Jewish poems and songs that were designed to help you through a wide spectrum of emotion.The largest book in the Bible is packed full of emotional prayers, songs, and poems that speak to what it means to be human. The Psalms are uncensored and unapologetic in their descriptions. Real-life struggles can be found within those 30,147 words —  doubt, love, fear, hatred, agony, joy, vengeance, depression, celebration, anxiety, heartbreak, hope, and agnosticism.

Some of these works are written from rock bottom, but the writers almost always lie flat on their backs — looking up toward heaven. Whether the writings are angry, happy, sad, depressing, anxious, or even tragic, they almost always end with praise and thanksgiving to God. As we study these powerful passages together, I encourage you to read faithfully, pray emotionally, discuss openly, and live thankfully.

Psalm 23 is actually one of the most recited passages in the entire Bible, as it’s traditionally read at funerals. I know, that’s kind of a downer, right? Why would we choose to read such a happy sounding scripture at funerals? Because it’s comforting! There are few things more comforting than a plentiful meal surrounded by people you love. This is the feeling of home. This is the feeling of holidays. This is the feeling of a big slice of pecan pie with whipped cream. However unsettling or upsetting your life may seem at times — you can always find comfort in God’s presence. David, the author of this Psalm, is painting a picture of God as a host of a feast. God isa good host. The food won’t stop coming. Your cup will never be empty. The table is surrounded by great conversation and laughter. And you’re invited to stay the whole night. As David mentions that his “cup overflows,” he attaches that thought to God’s love and goodness. This overflowing language represents an over-abundance — too much to handle. Just like my aunt serving Thanksgiving dinner, God dishes His love and goodness out for you helping after helping. Just when you think it’s about to runout, He shows up with some dessert. God’s love for you knows no end.Whatever you are going through right now, God has an overflowing abundance of love and goodness to keep you going. It’ll help get you through. Just like calories fuel your body, God’s love fuels your spirit. There will always be more than enough to fuel you — helping you move further faster. Just when you feel it’s too much, there will be more. There is always more.

TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: What’s your favorite food to eat at Thanksgiving dinner?
Q2: Has anyone ever done something really kind for you that went above and beyond what you expected? Explain.
Q3:How Does David explain God to be like a good dinner host?
Q4: How can accepting God’s never-ending servings of goodness and love help you through challenging times?
Q5: How can you thank God for His overflowing love and goodness this week?