We are at the final Sabbath of the year. And what a year it has been! Regardless of our mixed experiences, we can exclaim in celebratory tones, the words of the prophet, Samuel, “Ebenezer,” “Till now the Lord has helped us (1 Samuel 7:12, ESV). And in the grateful voice of Jeremiah, “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV). Our arrival at this point in time is surely and solely the act of God. What better way to express our gratitude than to worship God, and to tell Him thanks through our prayers and singing His praises.
Today, my dear brothers and sisters, let us “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:4, 5, NIV).
Let us bring all our offerings before the Lord (ourselves included) and bow down and worship Him.
Thank you, Lord, for providing for us another year. Thank you for living in our hearts and for leading in our lives. We have come collectively to return our gifts for the work in your church to do evangelism throughout this conference. Amen! Hallelujah!