I Chronicles 16:34-36 "A Song of Thanksgiving"

Introduction:

Most often when we think about the history associated with Thanksgiving, we think of the holiday in America.

A holiday that traditionally originated with the Pilgrims and the Indians in early America.

But Thanksgiving as a practice is much older than that. Thanksgiving is something that originated between God and His people.

And it was usually initiated by human beings as an expression in the direction of God in response to some aspect of His character or actions.

We have an example in our text this morning. Look back at your text at verse 34 of I Chronicles 16.

I. The Character of God (34).

King David had brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem and he instituted a praise and worship service to give thanks to God.

Asaph and his brothers sung to the Lord and we are just looking at verses 34-36. But this song begins with thanksgiving up in verse 8: “Oh give thanks to the Lord!” and we see these same words verse 34: “Oh give thanks to the Lord.” But in verse 34 the focus is on God’s goodness.

The goodness of God is seen in the eternal nature of His covenant love for His people.

This love is steadfast and it eternally endures. That is because the covenant love of God can do no other. The Hebrew term here denotes something that goes way beyond love as an emotion. It is love, kindness and faithfulness all bundled together.

This is where we need to remind ourselves of the context. The Psalmist is calling us to give thanks to God in the light of the glory of His coming judgement upon the earth.

We most often think of thanksgiving in regards to the abundance of His provisions to us. We have plenty to eat and a roof over our heads and we have friends and family that we are thankful for as well as many other things.

But the Psalmist speaks of thanksgiving in the context of creation and the rejoicing is over the reign of the Lord as He comes to judge the earth. And this call to give thanks is in response to his coming judgement because of God’s covenant love for His people.

We usually don’t think about the judgement of God at the second coming as being the focal point of our Thanksgiving celebration.

But for these ancient Israelites this was a profound declaration because in ancient times people longed to have prominence, dominion and peace over their enemies.

They saw this as a big deal. The ark of the covenant which represented the presence of God to His people had been gone for quite a while. And it was being brought back to Jerusalem. And this meant that the God of Isreal was back in their midst. And with him would come the security they longed for as a Nation.

Christian can you think of a better reason to give thanks than the covenant fidelity of God?

Especially when all the good gifts that we have come down to us through his hand.

What is it that we have that is good that is not from Him. He is good and it is shown forth in how God extends to us His loving kindness as our faithful covenant Father.

This Hebrew term for love in verse 34 denotes all the attributes of a ever providing and ever faithful Father. This is one of the reasons God created Fathers in the context of the family. When a father in a family is doing it right he is the imperfect microcosm reflection of the perfect macrocosm of God.

Fathers communicate to their families something that is reflective of God when they pursue biblical fatherhood. That is by God’s design (Chesed & Rachim).

If God is good and it is reflected in His character of His covenant faithfulness then it would seem that Israel would find their hope for salvation in God. The Psalmist makes the connection for us in verses 35-36. Look back at your text:

II. The Salvation of God (35-36).

If Yahweh was their covenant faithful God, whom else could they go for security and salvation but to Him?

And if you were to read all of the above song of thanksgiving, from verse 8-34, you quickly realize that this appeal for salvation goes beyond just safety from the nations but it is a safety from among the nations. Because the Psalmist understand the Yahweh is coming to judge the nations.

The theological underpinnings of God’s identity doesn’t set Him in ancient pantheon of being just one of the many gods amongst the many people groups from among the nations.

Just look back up into the context to verses 25-27:

No, Yahweh is contrary to the pagan gods of the nations. They are all worthless idols. Idols are made out of the sinful creative imaginations of man. Men make and fashion idols as extensions of themselves.

But Yahweh is great and greatly to be praised. And Yahweh is to be feared above the idolatrous gods of the people. Sinful men fashion idols but Yahweh fashioned the heavens! Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.

The Psalmist is declaring the Yahweh is in another category unique to only Himself. He is the source of all of creation including man’s existence. Man is dependent on Yahweh for his existence but the gods of the nations are dependent on man. That is a distinct difference.

The hope of the covenant people of God is that they won’t be swept away in His judgement on the nations but that they will be preserved by Yahweh.

In order that they may give thanks to His holy name and glory in His praise. Again, the context is telling as the dots are connected. Look back up to verses 28-30:

No wonder the Psalmist ends up declaring the worship of Yahweh for everlasting to everlasting in verse 36.

You see Christian, when it comes to Thanksgiving it goes beyond mere gratitude to God. But it takes into account the majesty of His character and being and the expression of His covenant faithfulness through securing us to Himself in our salvation.

Thanksgiving should always be an active part of our worship and not just something we do one day a year.

Conclusion:

Then all the people said. Amen! and praised the Lord. The people were in full agreement. What about you? Are you thankful for who our God is today? Are you thankful for how he has worked salvation in your life by His sovereign grace?

Then Christian rest in the security that He brings to us through Jesus Christ. Confess and receive!

Unbeliever: Thanks giving has a context. The Holy Character of God and a Savior, Jesus Christ who came into the world to die in the place of sinners in order to save a people for God. Believe the gospel!

Let’s pray!