WHY WE CAN BE GRATEFUL FOR GOD’S WORD IN HARD TIMES

Introduction

• Connect to the series: A Season of Gratitude.

• Acknowledge the reality of storms, uncertainty, and trials.

• Transition: In every season—especially hard ones—we give thanks that God has given us His Word as our anchor.

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God’s Word Guides Us

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Psalm 119 is one of the most interesting psalms in Scripture. As we know, it is the longest Psalm making it the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a Torah-psalm celebrating God’s Word. Essentially, it is a psalm that instructs or teaches us about God’s Word. One other amazing thing about this Psalm is that it is an acroustic meditation using each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each verse celebrates God’s Word using terms like law, precepts, statutes, and commands.

In our verse today, the Psalmist likens God’s Word to a lamp and a light. Note that it is specifically a “lamp unto my feet.” The imagery is that it like today’s modern flashlight which we use to shine in front of our feet so that we see anything that might trip us up. The thought is simple. God’s Word shines the path for us each day. In other words, it is perfectly capable of exposing all the things that would trip us up spiritually as we walk with the Lord. The second part of that verse states that it is a “light unto my path.” This gives a very different, but similar understanding of God’s Word. Think of a path lights. Perhaps you have them at your house along your sidewalk. These lights are there to light the sidewalk at night. They are different than a flashlight which provides light as you walk. These lights light the way path along which you travel. Flashlights are for immediate, step-by-step guidance whereas path lights are for long-term direction.

Here is the point. God’s Word is light first and foremost. It is not darkness. Walking in the dark is dangerous which what the world offers. God, on the other hand, offers us completely illuminated guidance in the darkness through His Word. It covers bot the present moment as well as the entire journey with Him. In fact, you can say that God’s Word is light for our minds, hearts, and journey. Listen a few parallel verses found in Scripture.

Proverbs 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Psalm 19:8 KJV 1900

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

2 Peter 1:19 KJV 1900

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Each of these verses assure us that we cannot go wrong by reading, meditating, and obeying God’s Word. For this reason, we can be exteremly thankful that God, in His great wisdom, gave us all 66 books of the Bible as guide, a light, and lamp in the midst of this dark and wicked world. He did not leave us to stumble blindly. No, He loved and cared for us enough, that not only did He give His Son as payment for our sin, He also gave us His Word so that we might know to how to love and live for Him.

Here is another great reason we can be thankful this November for God’s Word.

God’s Word Equips Us

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. There is so much information and depth in these verses about the impact and importance of Scripture. Note several things:

God’s Word is Inspired by God - It is literally God-Breathed which is the focus of the Greek behind the word “inspiration.”

All of Scripture is Inspired by God - All 66 books are from Him. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is His Word and He gave it to help us know Him and live for Him. A quick side note: We must read and study all of the books. There is push today to study only the New Testament with some saying that it is the only part relevant to today. Christ Himself disagreed with that He noted on many occasions the importance of the Old Testament often referring to them as the “law and prophets.”

God’s Word is Profitable - The word “profitable” simply means useful. It serves its purpose well. It is extremely practical helping us live day-by- day, moment-by-moment. By the way, if you will live out God’s Word in your life it will make living life easier. That is the essence of “profitable.”

What is “useful” for? It is serves as the practical guide so that we can know:

Doctrine - What is right according to God and His holiness.

Reproof - What is not right according to God and His Holiness.

Correction - How to get right so that we stay in fellowship with a Holy God.

Instruction in Righteousness - How to stay right as we serve and obey God.

I guess the best way to illustrate this point is

• Reproof & Correction (what is wrong / how to get right): God’s Word confronts error and restores us.

• Instruction (how to stay right): Scripture trains us for every good work.

• Gratitude focus: We give thanks that God’s Word is not just information but transformation.

• Illustration: A craftsman fully equipped with every tool needed for the task.

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III. God’s Word Secures Us (Matthew 7:24–27)

• Foundation: Hearing and doing Christ’s Word is the only way to withstand life’s storms.

• Gratitude focus: We give thanks that God has given us a Rock that cannot be shaken.

• Illustration: Two houses, same storm—different outcomes based on foundation.

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Conclusion

• Restate the proposition: God’s Word guides, equips, and secures us.

• Tie back to gratitude: In this season, we don’t just thank God for blessings we see—we thank Him for the Word that anchors us in every unseen storm.

• Call to action:

o Believe what is right.

o Reject what is wrong.

o Return when you’ve strayed.

o Remain steadfast in righteousness.