It’s over.

It’s just beginning.

The Nation’s moment of Thanksgiving dissolved into its season of giving — and wanting—in the blink of an eye.

No sooner had the turkey remains been shoveled into the pot for soup than we were off to the mall — or more likely — Amazon. (Some of us had been at both already.)

To our credit we are buying and ordering gifts for others, but at the same time we have our own lists of wants. Granted the older we get, the less those wishlists focus on material things, but still they are our desires, and still they will only satisfy for a season. 

Clothes wear out. Gift cards get depleted. Electronics become outdated or obsolete. Family and friends go home. And we are left wanting again. 

Blaise Pascal is attributed with saying, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing by only by God the creator.” 

It’s not that the items and company don’t satisfy or bring joy, but they can only do so for a limited time. God satisfies for eternity. We need to want him more than anything else. 

Josiah Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles” puts it this way. 

“We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way.”

Which brings even more meaning to Jesus’s statement: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

​For not only will he provide all our needs, he will have satisfied our souls so that when the clothes wear out, the items become obsolete, the gift cards become worthless, and our family and friends leave, we may be sad but we are not left wanting.

Thank you for staying with me as I worked through Psalm 23 for the first time ever. Yes, I had read it multiple times. Yes, I have it committed to memory. But no, I had never taken the time to actually think about each of the segments of the psalm and what they meant. 

So what have I learned?

Well, the psalm begins with truth — the Lord is my shepherd; continues in truth — God provides for and is with me through all the needs and realities of life; and ends in a tremendous truth— I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6b)


How appropriate that the current women’s Bible study I am in is Jennifer Rothschild’s Heaven, and that the current book I am reading is Dr. David Jeremiah’s new book The Promise of Heaven.

As the world seems to be spiraling out of control. As wars continue to rage despite peace talks and “deals.” As people do whatever seems right in their own eyes (Judges 17:16) more and more, we yearn for something better. 

We desire something more. We were MADE for something more. And fortunately, there IS something more. 

As C.S. Lewis stated: “Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. . . . If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.”

Man’s  beginning was indeed heaven on earth. Eden was heaven. All God made was good. All lived in peace and harmony. Man had purpose. And God walked with man and had an intimate relationship with him. That is heaven.

And then . . . man made a poor choice—a very poor choice—he acted out of disobedience and broke his relationship with God and began the degeneration and corruption of this earth and human life.

But we have the hope of something better — something perfect — something that right now we can only imagine — and even then imagine imperfectly. 

And the best part?

We will not only live in the house of the Lord forever, but we will be with the Lord forever. All desires satisfied in full.

(Two excellent books on what heaven holds in store and how it affects how we live today are The Promise of Heaven by Dr. David Jeremiah, and Heaven by Randy Alcorn.)

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life” Psalm 23:6a

How appropriate that this portion of Psalm 23 lands right during the build up to Thanksgiving.  The symbol of the Thanksgiving season is the cornucopia, which represents an overflowing not only of harvest but of blessings and opportunities. 

David knows that all that we experience isn’t good, for he has just spoken about walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but he does recognize that God’s goodness and love are always with him. 

Everywhere we go, God’s love and goodness follow us. Regardless of our circumstances, God’s love and goodness are always with us. His blessings will continue to overflow as we walk with Him through life. Psalm 31:14 also reminds us of this fact.

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you.”

I was reminded this morning while reading a devotional by Teressa Robinson that “Even though rainstorms can be disruptive, they also bring long-term benefits like fresh air, vibrant colors, and fragrant blossoms.” (1)

So while it may not feel like God’s love and goodness are surrounding us right now in our current situation, rest assured that what we are experiencing will bring about “a sweet, fragrant aroma — one that will bring [God] glory and the opportunity for [us] to experience a fresh new perspective.” (1)

So regardless of what this Thanksgiving season may look like — prosperous or difficult— we can remember that God is our constant companion, and He is always looking for ways to shower us with His love and bless us beyond our imagination.


1) Robinson, Teressa. “Ordered.” pray a word a day: volume 2. Guideposts. 2023.

I recently saw a feed on Facebook showing King Charles knighting David Beckham for his services to sport and charity. His accolades in soccer could fill a book, but he has also been extremely involved in UNICEF and his own “7” fund to provide aid to children at risk of violence, poverty, and disease.

Beckham had the following to say about his knighthood.

“To be honest, a young boy from the east end of London, born in Leytonstone, and here at Windsor Castle, being honored by His Majesty the King – the most important and the most respected institution in the world – it’s quite a moment,” he added. (CNN)

We may admire David Beckham and even envy him receiving such an honor from King Charles, but another king—King David—reminds each of us that the God of the universe honors us and not only honors us, but provides more than we could ever imagine.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5b

Biblically, a host would anoint his guest with oil to honor him: to show blessing, favor, and protection while this guest was with him. While fleeing Absalon during his rebellion, David acknowledges not only these favors but also reminds himself that God had empowered him and consecrated him. He concludes this sentence by acknowledging that God does not provide just enough to get by, but He provides abundantly, He is generous with His blessings, and unparalleled in His protection.

While it is nice to receive earthly recognition for our achievements and services, nothing, nothing, can even match the honor that God desires to bestow on each of us. Nothing, nothing can come close to what God can provide, the blessings he showers on us, and the protection He offers.

Even more than David Beckham, who had trouble believing that a kid from the east end of London could receive such an honor, we should be humbled and grateful that the Almighty God should choose to honor us. But He has.

We have been anointed. Our cups overflow.

November 1. 

The official start of the holiday season. And the prospects of food and feasts and meals  together take center stage.

But for so many, despite the joy meant to accompany this time of year, this season is a difficult one. Hard times. Losses. Grief. Persecution. All enemies to our happiness and well being. 

And yet . . .

God takes care of us. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5a

Which gives us two takeaways:

1) We are dependent on God. He is the one preparing . . . providing.

and 

2) He is serving us. He is taking care of us. He is loving on us.

Most theologians believe David wrote this Psalm while running from his son Absalom, during Absalom’s rebellion. It wasn’t after—when all had been settled and wrongs had been righted. It was during. Right in the middle of. And even then, he trusted God.

So the final takeaway?

Even in the hardest of times. Even when it doesn’t seem like anyone is in our corner. Even when a family member betrays us. Even when . . . Even then we can trust Him.

​Enjoy Micah Tyler’s song “Even Then.”