Thanksgiving Sonnet 2016

You are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, you who love Yahweh; for he preserves the souls of his kind ones by snatching them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shining for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous ones, and confess a memory of his value. Psalm 97:9–12

Now this is the gospel message we have heard from Jesus and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. … If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we experience fellowship with God and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5–7

As I prepared for Thanksgiving this year I was struck by the similar ways the psalmist and the apostle construed their relationship with God. Walking in the light allows us to see and to celebrate the good God has done for us and the good he wants us to do.  … We’ll be using this sonnet as our prayer on Thanksgiving. I hope you find it a blessing too.

O God of everlasting life, your light
Illuminates the world so we might scan
With panoramic vision what is right
And good and fits in with your perfect plan.
With light comes gladness for the upright heart;
We walk with you in utter confidence
That you will guard our souls and do your part
To keep us living in obedience.
For Jesus Christ has come to your defense,
So you can justly cast our sin away
And welcome us as children to your side.
With grateful hearts we bless your excellence;
Our thanks for all the love that you display,
The infinite abundance you provide.