"GIVE THANKS"

Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy is everlasting.”

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GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD...

>>>This psalm is an exhortation as with most psalms.

>>>It calls on the reader to give thanks to the LORD.

>>>The LORD is the object of thanks.

*EVERYTHING TRACES BACK TO GOD.

James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

>>>Everything good thing we have in our lives comes from God.

*Good family-from God

*Health-from God

*Gifts from others-from God

>>>In order to truly give thanks, we must remember the One giving us the reason(s) to give thanks.

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FOR HE IS GOOD...

>>>This part of the verse is the first of two reasons from the psalmist to give thanks to God/why God is the object of thanks.

>>>It is because God is good.

*Good is not just a quality of God-a good God.

*Good is Who God is-just as He is love. God is the standard of what qualifies as something good.

>>>It doesn’t say give thanks to God because “life” is good.

*circumstances should not be the test on whether to give God thanks.

>>>If giving thanks is based on circumstances...

*Cancer/illness-won’t give thanks

*Loss of loved one-won’t give thanks

*Loss of job-won’t give thanks

*Trivial matters (wanted house, car, promotion, etc.)-won’t give thanks

>>>If giving thanks is based on God’s goodness...

*Love-give thanks

*Salvation-give thanks

*Provision-give thanks

*Eternal reward-give thanks

>>>God’s goodness, even in “not good” circumstances in life, should be the reason to give thanks-both in His actions and His character.

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FOR HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING...

Psalm 23:6 “Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.”

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WE GIVE THANKS BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS.