Grateful

Sometime we simply need to stop and remember that the Lord is good. To be grateful to God for what He has done, how He has made the way, and how He has provided for us- even when it all seemed lost.

When I think about the journey of these last few years, and take time to really reflect and take stock of where we have been as a church, where we could be, and where we actually are, I cannot help but give thanks to God and truly be amazed at all He has done.

And to do that, over the next few weeks I want us to pause- to Sabbath- and to be a people who are remembering and reflecting on the goodness of God. So today I am preaching in Psalm 92 and in the next couple of weeks you are going to hear from two other friends of mine on the same subject- Tommy Haines and John Bobb-Semple.

But this morning, I want us to look at the opening of this Sabbath psalm, and see how we can give thanks to God for how good He is.

Psalms 73–150 Form, Structure, and Setting

In post-biblical Judaism, Psalm 92 was sung on the Sabbath when the daily sacrifice was offered, as is suggested by the superscription. In the LXX texts and in rabbinic literature, seven psalms are associated with the daily offerings on the successive days of the week (in order, Psalms 24; 48; 82; 94; 81; 93; 92). Within Psalm 92 are several hints that it was used in public worship at the temple (cf. vv. 2–3[3–4], 13[14]). This could have been in conjunction with a thank offering by the psalmist, because in v. 11[12] he reflects on his deliverance from wicked enemies

(Read Psalm 92:1-4)

The first thing I want you to notice is the psalmist says “it is good to give thanks to the Lord.”

Why would it be good? I think a large part of that goodness is a recognition of dependence. When we thank someone for doing something for us or on our behalf, we are acknowledging our own dependence- our relationship with them.

Psalms 73–150 1. Resolution to Praise the Lord (92:1–4[2–5])

Instead of calling on others to praise the Lord, as in so many praise psalms, in Psalm 92 the psalmist exclaims about why he is giving thanks to him (cf. Pss 145:1–2; 146:1–2). He uses the language of thanksgiving (yādâ), which could indicate that this is a song used to accompany a thank offering in response to God’s answer to a previous petition

It is also good, because it recognizes our PLACE in the relationship with God. We are the ones in need, the ones who cannot do it all. God can and does. He intervenes on behalf of His people. He delights in coming thru for us and He gets GLORY from our dependence and acknowledgement of His ability to provide.

But it is not just good to give thanks- it is good to SING about it.

The followers of Jesus have always been a singing people. There is singing everywhere God is- around the Throne in heaven, in the tallest cathedral, in the catacombs, in the secret churches of China, in the villages of Ghana- Corrie Ten Boom mentions in her book The Hiding Place the whispered hymns of Christians in the Ravensbruck concentration camps…we cannot help but sing praise to God- no matter what else is going on.

I cannot tell you how often I turn to worship and singing when things look the bleakest and most miserable- because the songs about God lift me up. (Talk about Fear is not My Future)

We were made to worship and when we CHOOSE worship of Jesus in the midst of difficulty and tragedy, God meets us there.

And the psalmist goes on- look at verse 2-3.

To declare means to make a statement of FACT.

And what are we declaring- what are we thankful for?

His steadfast love- His hesed- His unconditional love of us. That’s the first thing the psalmist focuses on in the morning. God loves us. God loves YOU! The God of the universe loves you- who created the world…the universe…loves you personally, and unconditionally. Who else can say that? Why can you say that (Gospel presentation here)

And not only does He love us unconditionally, at night the psalmist thoughts turn to His faithfulness- who is He faithful to? Us! You! He does not abandon you or leave you or forget you. He comes thru. He is right there with you in the darkest part of the night- even when you do not want Him to be, when your faith fails, when you want to walk away…He stays.

There is another reason for the intentional choosing of day and night…and the connection between God’s steadfast love and His faithfulness- it indicates a call for “continual” praise of God- He is always worthy to be praised and our praise should be on going!

Psalms 73–150 1. Resolution to Praise the Lord (92:1–4[2–5])

The prepositional phrases “in the morning” and “at night” likely form a merism, a literary device that suggests all the time, rather than referring specifically to the morning and evening sacrifices. The Lord’s character provides continual reason for praising him (cf. Lam 3:23); and there is no time when the Lord does not deserve praise and thanks, whether in the morning (cf. Ps 5:3) or at night

Verse 3 adds an additional element- different musical instruments. Now we would see that as a band- combined together, but to the people who heard and sang this song there would have been an additional idea- the nuances and emotions of the worshipers…with different instruments representing different postures and approaches to worshiping the Lord (think about how different styles of music and tones of music affect our approach- reflective, celebratory, mourning, declaring....etc)

And what are the results of this gratefulness, this gratitude towards the Lord? I see the works of the Lord and I am GLAD and JOYFUL.

To be glad is to take delight in- when I see what God is doing it makes me happy- and that happiness is based on how I see God working- there is nothing wrong with being happy. I think a lot of Christians in our day and time think being grumpy is a virtue. It is not. And I am not talking about faking it- we should be honest and express what is really going on, but we should not fight against happiness when it comes from how God has been there for us. It SHOULD make us happy!

And beyond that, it gives us joy. Joy is the ability to be at peace and content despite adverse circumstances. Jesus is the source of our Joy. His works- even when they are amidst crushing circumstances- sustain our joy even when we are not able to be glad!

Psalms 73–150 1. Resolution to Praise the Lord (92:1–4[2–5])

Throughout the Psalms the Lord’s wonderful works call forth worship from his people (cf. Ps 86:8; 139:14), as his works fuel the response of worship.

Where are you needing to give thanks to God this morning?

How are you struggling to see His hang this morning?

Where are you withholding your praise from Him?