COVENANTER

As we look ahead to the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday next week, it’s good for us to pause and remember just how much we’ve been given. In a world that easily distracts us with anxiety, tragedy, and noise, we need reminders that God’s mercies surround us daily and are always worthy of our thanks.

Endnotes in modern books may feel tedious, but in Scripture they take on a far richer meaning. The New Testament serves as the Bible’s own “endnotes,” illuminating the types, promises, and shadows of the Old and revealing their fulfillment in Christ. By turning to the back of the Book, we discover the mystery once hidden but now made clear through the person and work of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul describes the Church as one body with Christ as its Head, reminding us that every member is vitally connected and necessary for the whole to flourish. When one part suffers, the entire body feels the pain. Likewise, we should grieve and pray when our brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting. With that in mind, let us turn our hearts toward the global Church, remembering especially the suffering believers in Nigeria who need our prayers and compassion.

Though it began 508 years ago, the Protestant Reformation still matters today! It recovered the glorious truth that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It freed us from the weight of human traditions, re-centered our hearts on God’s Word, and fixed our gaze heavenward, calling us to live wholly for His glory.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are called to remember His faithfulness. One of the most vivid biblical tools for doing so is the Ebenezer—literally a “stone of help” (1 Samuel 7:12)—set up to commemorate God’s mighty acts on behalf of His people. From Joshua’s twelve stones taken from the Jordan River to the repeated exhortations throughout the New Testament, remembering what God has done is central to a life of faith and gratitude.

We live in a culture that celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, priding ourselves on our ability to handle life on our own. Yet Scripture reminds us that we are anything but self-sufficient. We are deeply dependent, limited, and in constant need of help. The psalmist knew this well, crying out to God as his helper, and his example calls us to do the same: to humbly seek the Lord’s help and the help of His people.

Have you ever been caught in a storm at sea? The waves crash, the wind howls, and every instinct urges you to abandon ship. Life in the church can sometimes feel the same way, but Christ our Captain calls us to hold fast and stay the course: steady as she goes.

A eulogy is more than words spoken at a funeral — it is high praise that reflects the way a person lived. It tells of the passions and priorities that shaped a life. If those closest to you were asked to give one sentence in your eulogy, what would they say? We ought to live in such a way that we would be remembered for a life of faithfulness to Christ.

Psalm 73 gives us a window into Asaph’s struggle as he wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. Though troubled by the injustice he sees, Asaph ultimately finds hope not in retaliation or human strength but in God’s sovereign rule and faithful presence. His psalm provides us with a grid for how to pray, think, trust, and worship in a world where unrighteousness often seems to prevail.

“Bilbo’s Last Song” is a wistful poem that imagines this Lord of the Rings character’s final journey “west of West,” to a peaceful shore where rest and beauty await. With images of fair winds, starlit skies, and quiet seas, Tolkien paints a picture of an enchanting eternity beyond Middle-Earth. Yet, for all its loveliness, Bilbo’s vision leaves out something essential: the presence of God Himself!

Division is not just a problem out in the world; it has crept into the church as well. Increasingly, Christians are tempted to view those who differ from them in personal practices, opinions, and even preferences as opponents to be dismissed or despised. We must be committed to cultivating the fruit of the Spirit and maintaining unity within the church.

Familiarity, it’s often said, breeds contempt. The saying reminds us that when we grow too accustomed to something, we risk losing our sense of wonder and gratitude for it. Nowhere is this more true than with God’s creation, which surrounds us daily yet too often goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Let’s be Christians marked by gratitude and wonder at God’s glory!