Zoned-In at Thanksgiving

Psalm 103:1 – 22

Psalm 103:1–22 (NLT)

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

6 The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children

18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

*The Christians "taste berry"

(KMB page 677)

It said that in Africa there is a fruit called the "taste berry," because it changes a person's taste so that everything tastes sweet and pleasant. Sour fruit, even if eaten several hours after the "taste berry," becomes sweet and delicious.

Gratitude is the "taste berry" of Christianity, and when our hearts are filled with gratitude, nothing that God sends us seems unpleasant to us. sorrowing heart, sweeten your grief with gratitude. Burned so, lighten your burden by singing God's praises. Disappointed one, dispel your loneliness by making others grateful.

Sick one, grow strong in soul, thanking God that he loves you enough to Tracy. Keep the "taste berry" of gratitude in your hearts, and it will do for you with the "taste berry" of Africa does for the African.

I. THE CALL TO GIVE THANKS (Psalm 103:1, 20 – 22)

A. Give thanks from deep within (Psalm 103:1 a)

Psalm 103:1 (NLT)

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

qereb (קֶרֶב, 7130), “inward part; midst.” As a noun, this word is related to the Akkadian root qarab, which means “midst.” In Mishnaic and modern Hebrew, qereb generally means “midst” rather than “inward part” or “entrails.”

One idiomatic usage of qereb denotes an inward part of the body that is the seat of laughter (Gen. 18:12) and of thoughts (Jer. 4:14).

Jeremiah 4:14 (NLT)

14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?

B. Give thanks With your whole life (Psalm 103:1 b)

Psalm 103:1b (NLT)

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

nepesh (נֶֶפֶשׁ, 5315), “soul; self; life; person; heart.” refers to the entire personal being.

C. The call for all creation to give thanks (Psalm 103:20-22)

Psalm 103:20–22 (NLT)

20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

22 Praise the Lord, everything* he has created, everything* in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

*kol (כֹּל, 3605), “all; the whole.”

1- The angels are called to praise the Lord.

2- Every created thing is called to praise the Lord.

3- Everything in His kingdom is called to give thanks.

II. THE CALL TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (PSALM 103:2 – 19)

A. Forgiveness of sin (Psalm 103:2 – 3)

Psalm 103:2–3 (NLT)

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

(1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

B. Saving our lives (Psalm 103:4 a)

Psalm 103:4a (NLT)

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

ga˒al (גָּאַל, 1350), “to redeem, deliver, avenge, act as a kinsman.”

C. Kindness and mercy (Psalm 103:4b, 8 – 17)

* illustration: "mercy, not justice"

Psalm 103:4b (NLT)

4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:8–17 (NLT)

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children

D. Daily provision (Psalm 103:5)

Psalm 103:5 (NLT)

5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

E. Healing (Psalm 103:3b)

Psalm 103:3b (NLT)

3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

F. Vindication (Psalm 103:6)

Psalm 103:6 (NLT)

6 The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

G. Knowledge of God's will (Psalm 103:7)

Psalm 103:7 (NLT)

7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.

CONCLUSION:

*Illustration: "Suppose the sun shouldn't rise?"

(KMB page 679)

There is an imaginative story of that morning when the sun did not rise. 6 o'clock came and no sign of Dawn. At 7 o'clock there was still the rails blight. At noon it was as black as midnight and no bird sang. there was only the hoot of the owl and the swoop of the bat. Then came the black hours of the black afternoon.

No one slept that night. Some wept, some run their hands in anguish. Every church was thronged to its doors with people upon their knees. Thus they remained the whole night through; that millions of eager, tear what faces were turned toward the east. The sky began to grow red in the sun rose once more there was a shout of great joy. Now millions of lips said, "bless the Lord, O my soul." Why were these people so thankful? Just because the sun rose after one day of darkness.

The very constancy of God's blessings sometimes seems to kill our gratitude. Whereas the wonderful thing about the mercies of God is that they are fresh every morning and new every evening.

or

Hymn: “Count Your Blessings”

Author: Johnson Oatman (1897)

1 When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.