The prophet evokes images of a bountiful harvest. On Thanksgiving Day we can very well relate to this word, indeed gratitude for the food God provides is a major part of   Thanksgiving.  In a day and age of plenty for most of us (let's face it, those who can afford to surf the internet are not likely to be "scraping the bottom"), how can we really appreciate the metaphor of the plentiful harvest as expressed in Joel?

Given the size of our harvesters, the fact that we end up with so much produce that we have to dump the excess, and the fact that we have such a variety readily available may make it difficult for us to appreciate food for the blessing it is.  In fact, the excesses and varieties of  foods have become a temptation, even a curse, to our society in which many struggle with overweight and obesity.

Imagine what the blessing of the harvest / food meant to our forbears, the pilgrims, or to people who lived (and live) through wars, people who lived during the Great Depression, etc. . What kind of attitude do people in third world countries have toward food? Check out the link Thanksgiving Wish  For The Poor toward this end.  Imagine what a successful harvest means even to our farmers today.

Expressing our thanks to God.  Why can we be thankful? What do we base our thankful attitude on?  What is the benefit of an attitude of thankfulness?    How can we maintain an attitude of thankfulness? What does an attitude of gratitude empower us to do?

1) History shows God's provisions in the past (also reflected in Psalm 126)

2) God's word reminds us of the promise for an even better future.   Those who go hungry in this life will be repayed

3) An attitude of gratitude may set us free / empower us to become champions of God's purpose--care for the needy and poor.