Making a Big Deal of Thanksgiving Day 3

We are looking in Numbers 10 at the instructions God gave concerning the response of the people in the wilderness to the trumpets God commanded them to sound. We find in verse 

11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony, 12 and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses. 14 The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first by their companies, and over their company was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. 16 And over the company of the tribe of the people of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon.

This is the first time the plan was put into motion: the trumpets were played, the people set out in orderly fashion and they moved from one place to another.  So what's the big deal? Two things. First God's plan works - it always works best. Second, gratitude is shown through obedience.  This is not automatic. Often, the more we give our children, the less they obey. The same is true of adults - even God's people. But if we are truly thankful, we will obey promptly. Let's think about that as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week.