Choosing gratitude -- Part 2

Intro

Last week we talked about 4 stories of people who were grateful in difficult or strange circumstances (Jonah, Daniel, Hannah, Paul)

it’s hard to be grateful in these circumstances.

When do you find it the easiest to be grateful?

When is it the hardest to be grateful?

Tongiht we’re going over 3 more stories of gratefulness...

Two fo them are of the same person, one is David

Gratitude is a choice. If we fail to chose it, by default we choose ingratitude. And once allowed into the heart, ingratitude does not come by itself but with a lot of other seedy companions that only succeed in stealing joy. To not choose gratitude - daily and deliberately - is more costly than we usually realize. And when we do choose a lifestyle of heartfelt, humble gratitude, we are mindful of the benefits received from our gracious Savior and those He has placed around us.

Story one…Jesus gave gratitude because of God’s imminent provision

John the baptist (his cousin) was just beheaded

5000 people were vying for Jesus’ attention

Instead of getting angry, Jesus decided to feed them

Matthew 14:19 ESV

19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

What faith Jesus must have had to give thanks and a blessing before he had enough

Have there been times in your life when you were worried about having enough? or being enough?

Story two…Jesus gave gratitude even when following meant suffering

Knowing what was about to happen to Him, Jesus gave thanks

imagine the scene. Jesus ripping the bread. Drinking the cup. representing his body for us

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

“This was not an obligatory blessing offered up before the meal. The whole meal pictured the enormous sacrifice Jesus was about to make. In giving thanks for the cup and the bread, then in giving the symbolic elements to his disciples, Jesus was saying in effect, ‘Yes, Father, I willingly surrender myself to Your calling for My life no matter the cost.’ He gave himself to God and to the world, not with coercion, but with abandon…and with gratitude, grateful for the privilege of obeying his Father and of fulfilling the mission He had been sent to earth to complete.”

Are we people who give gratitude for God for the opportunity to follow Him?

I don’t!

God is worthy of our praise and adoration. Are we giving it to him?

Story Three…David gives gratitude even when he was overwhelmed with distress

David was in the middle of hard times

He was surrounded by enemies and people who hated him (v.4)

Sound familiar?

He was feeling abandoned by God (v.1)

He was feeling emotionally drained (v.3)

He was feeling away from God (v.3b)

He was asahemed because of his sin (v.6)

It all changes in verse 13

Psalm 69:13 ESV

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

David turns from his hardship not into himself, but rather to God

Psalm 69:16 ESV

16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

David continues to ask God for help

Psalm 69:30–33 ESV

30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33 For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

1. We share honestly the distress that we find ourselves in 2. We reflect on how God may be using these circumstances for our own spiritual growth and development 3. We humble ourselves to cry to God for help in alleviating our distress 4. We open ourselves in faith so that we may be aware of/attuned to God's deliverance of grace to us, in whatever form(s) He may choose for our benefit

Conclusion

How do you respond when the needs are great and it seems you’re coming up short?

How do you respond when asked to do something for God, but you know it causes suffering

How do you respond when you are overwhelmed with distress?

I think we need to follow david’s example of where he turns to in verse. 16

Psalm 69:16 ESV

16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Seeing God’s steadfast love in each area of our life will lead us to a point of thanksgiving towards him