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I can remember in the days and weeks following the attack upon the United States on September 11, 2001, that church attendance in the U.S. enjoyed a momentary increase.  Sadly, however, that increase was short lived.  Studies have shown that within a few weeks, in most cases, church attendance quickly regressed to the pre-September 11 level (https://today.duke.edu/2016/08/after-911-short-lived-rush-church).  What happened?

What happened seems to be consistent with all of human history.  When things are bad, when we are pressed on every side, when we are struggling with adversity, then we remember that there is a God in heaven and we seek His favor.  The same was true of the Hebrews, who in a time of affliction in Egypt called out to the Lord for deliverance (Exodus 3:7-9).  Later, after settling into the Promised Land, the Israelites became satisfied and forgot their God, who had brought them out of Egypt (Judges 3:7; 1 Samuel 12:9; Psalm 106:21).  Over and over again throughout the book of Judges, there was a cycle of them forgetting God, practicing idolatry and other sorts of evil, and only turning to God when oppression came upon them.

We can look back at them in wonder, as to how they could have seen so much of the power of God, and then turned away or neglected God.  However, don’t we do the same thing?  We cry out to God and pray when times are bad.  We suddenly become more religious when under attack, but quickly forget about God when life is good.  We often treat God as if He is the genie in the bottle (break glass in case of emergency), and we neglect Him when things are good.

Let us not be those people!  Instead, let us remember the God who loves us.  Let us remember that He has not left it to us to figure Him out, but has given us an ample description and instruction through His inspired word (2 Timothy 2:16-17).  Let us come to Him both in our hour of need (Hebrews 4:16), but also when our hearts are full.  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, emphasis added).

At this time of year, as we gather together to give thanks as a nation, let us not forget our Creator, the One who gives life and sustains us all (Acts 17:28).  Let us not be so quick to forget Him during the rest of the year, but instead, let us continue to give God our thanks throughout our lives.

“Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Psalm 30:4).