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December 31, 2002
New Year's Eve
Pastor Ben Berger

Give Thanks to the LORD

Busy. Busy, busy, busy. Does that describe anyone's life? Who isn't busy? It doesn't matter how hard we work or how much we work ahead; there is always more to keep the schedule full. Even when we come to worship God, our minds are filled with all of the other things we have to do. We anxiously wait for the service to end so that we can get on with our busy lives. Tonight, let's settle down just a bit. WE cannot allow the business or the busy-ness or our lives to push God out of the picture. As we take a look back at the year gone by and a look ahead to the year to come, we want to include God in our busy-ness. We'll start doing that right now by following the encouragement of the Psalmist to: Give Thanks to the LORD 1) He is good and 2) His love endures forever.

At the end of the year most people like to take a look back at all that has happened. How has 2002 treated you? What comes to mind first - blessings or hardships? Whether you feel that 2002 was a very good year or you're hoping for a fresh start, you have reason to Give Thanks to the LORD for He is good.

A quick look back will remind us of how good the LORD has been to Mount Olive this past year. Though I have only been here for a short time and only for the last part of the year, even I can see the tremendous blessings God has given to you, his people. Faithful leaders who have helped to preserve God's word in its truth and purity are at the top of the list. You're council, pastors and boards all worked diligently to study the Scriptures and make them the foundations for all decisions. They spent their time and energy making plans to use God's word to build you up individually and as a congregation. Those men along with a faithful group of teachers taught that same Word to your children that they too may grow in their faith. In addition to faithful leaders and teachers God has provided from among you many faithful workers. Many of you show up regularly to carry out the plans of the leaders and to do your part in spreading God's word. You are blessings to each other and to yourselves.

Of course, all of this planning, work and faithfulness would be worth nothing without the blessing of a Savior. Give thanks to the LORD for we have the blessing of a Savior too. As we just did so also last year you began with a magnificent celebration of the Savior's birth. You watched Jesus grow and become a man. You saw him struggle through the same temptations and frustrations as you. You identified with him when he was alone and the world was against him. You wept with him when his friend died and again when he died. You rejoiced when he rose from the dead. You spent the rest of the year worshiping and serving him for all these wonderful blessings he provided as your Savior.

That's all true and great, but at the same time life in 2002 wasn't always so easy. Yes, we had some good days and many reasons to rejoice, but many days in between were tough. 14 Mount Olive members died this past year; many of them were people you knew and loved. Many others live but with constant sickness and pain. Some of you may still be battling pains in your body. Although it appears that we will cover our own expenses, we will not fulfill our goals for the synod or FVL. That and the relative lack of increase in offerings shows that money has been tighter lately. Many of us probably feel the same pull at home. So where is the good LORD in all of this?

He is there. Even in hardships and hard times the LORD is good. And, before we question his goodness or blame him for our bad days, we need to take some responsibility ourselves. We have not always been good to the LORD or his blessings to us. When our bodies failed and money ran low, did our trust go with it? We did not always put our trust completely in the LORD. We did not always look to build up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. In fact, often we only thought of ourselves or at least thought of ourselves first. Often during the rough days we pulled away from God rather than running to him. Often we questioned and pointed fingers, blamed and complained rather than worshiping, calling on him, praying, praising, and giving thanks. We forgot rather than remembered. Even then the LORD was good to us.

Why in his goodness did he let those things happen to us? I don't know. The LORD doesn't always tell us why something happened. He only promises that whatever happens, He will use is for our good. Looking back at the past year gives us proof that the LORD has kept that promise. We are still here; we have all we need and more. We have forgiveness for all our sins, including the sins of the past year, we have the promise of eternal life and we have God's promise to continue to provide for us up to the last day.

As we look ahead to next year that promise gives us hope and reason to Give Thanks to the LORD for he is good. Yes, 2003 will have its good days and its bad days. We will face the same troubles, struggles and frustrations. Bodies will fail, money will run low, and our faith will be tested. Yet, through everything the LORD will be good. He will continue to bless us through his Word. He will continue to be with us through his Sacrament. He will continue to be good as he reassures us of our forgiveness, life and salvation. Therefore, we will continue to Give Thanks to the LORD for he is good.