“The Nations of Thanksgiving”

Thanksgiving Rehearsed

The nature of Thanksgiving includes 5 active things we are to be doing corporately (1 Chron. 16:13-22):

++Give thanks for the LORD publically

++Sing/give praise to the LORD continually

++Glory/be glad in the LORD publically

++Investigate the LORD’s strength

++Discover the LORD’s face

The People of Thanksgiving (1 Chron. 16:13-22)

++God’s Precepts are Unavoidable

++God’s Promise is Everlasting

++God’s Protection is Unconquerable/unbeatable

God’s eternal plan is fulfilled in His everlasting promise of impenetrable protection for His people.

Now today’s message…what should participation in Thanksgiving to the LORD look like as we gather together to give thanks?

Does our Thanksgiving traditions truly give thanks to the One to whom thanks is due for all the blessings that we have?

Will we, with family and friends this Thursday, gather together and reflect as the nations, as a people of God, the very heart and nature of Thanksgiving?

The Nations of Thanksgiving (1 Chron. 16:23-29)

++Declare the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:23-24)

++Elevate the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:25-27)

++Respond to the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:28-29)

Gathering to give thanks requires our lives declare the LORD is lifted above all else in full surrender to His glory and deeds.

To start with, what do I mean by the “Nations” of thanksgiving?

Note the 2nd phrase of the first stanza of v. 23, “…all the earth.”

Here is how our Thanksgiving should look; our “Rehearsed Thanksgiving.”

Declare the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:23-24)

When considering what actions we should be involved in with true Thanksgiving, I want you to note that every action verb in this stretch of verses are in the plural-active tense in the Hebrew.

This means two things:

The plural means more than a single act…involves multiple actions

The active means (in this case) “all the earth” or everyone is to be involved with these, actively

Declare the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:23-24)

++Tell of the LORD’s salvation daily (v. 23)

++Live a Registry of God’s glory and deeds (v. 24)

Elevate the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:25-27)

Elevate the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:25-27)

++Praise the LORD (v. 25a)

++Fear the LORD (v. 25b)

++Celebrate the LORD (v. 26-27)

Respond to the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:28-29)

Respond to the LORD together (1 Chron. 16:28-29)

++Ascribe what is due the LORD of glory (v. 28-29a)

++Bring to the LORD an offering and yourself (v. 29b)

++Surrender yourself to the LORD (v. 29c [worship = “bow down”])

Remember the mention of the verb tense in the Hebrew at the beginning. All these verbs have been plural-active.

This last verb at the end of v. 29, “worship,” is the only one in this set of verses that is in a different verb tense. This one is still plural indicating multiple actions; however, instead of “active” it is “Estafel” or “Hitpael.” This indicates a much more contemplative or self-inventory act.

This verb tense, although still in the context of “all the earth” and the idea of doing this as you gather, is much more a personal act of taking stock in surrender to God, while doing it together.

Gathering to give thanks requires our lives declare the LORD is lifted above all else in full surrender to His glory and deeds.