Psalms: Thanksgiving

Introduction

[SLIDE 2] a father’s quest: One day when my daughters were 5 and 3 years old, we went to Walmart to pick up a few things. We walked around the isles looking for this and that. While we were focused on something and considering whether it was what we needed, our daughters turned the corner and went down another isle. Suddenly, they were gone from our sight. We left what we were looking at and went looking for them.

As a parent, you fear the thought that one day your kids would be abducted.

We searched up one aisle and down another, but couldn't find them. Oddly, I saw a few boxes move on a shelve. I looked and there were my daughters hiding. They were so excited that they had hid so well that we couldn't find them. They laughed, giggled, and were thrilled that they had tricked Mom and Dad.

QUESTION: Have you ever been so mad at your kids, and at the same time, glad to see them, and then wanting to discipline them, but looked into their faces and saw that there was no malice or mean intention in their eyes? Truth be told, I didn't know what to say. I didn’t want to scare them needlessly nor did I ever want them to do that again. Still, they got out and giggled all the way to find their mom. I was speechless. I remember feeling so very thankful that I had found them.

[SLIDE 3] QUESTION: When are you the most thankful?

It seems to me that we are often the most thankful when some threat is avoided (e.g., the police officer pulls up behind you and then turns on his lights, but then pulls out and chases some other car...or as they’re facing in California, there is a fire that threatens to engulf your house in flames and suddenly, the wind shifts, missing your house...or maybe when your financial situation threatens to overwhelm you, but then help comes and the crisis is adverted).

During these times, we may promise God that we will serve Him better; that we will begin attending church again; that if He just gets us through this situation, we will become a missionary to Africa or China.

Rooted, Real, and Reaching, right? We’re just being Real!

Well, crises are averted everyday and its appropriate for us to thank God for having saved us from them. The problem is that we forget to thank God for His care, don’t we?

Well, crises are averted everyday and its appropriate for us to thank God for having saved us from them. The problem is that we forget to thank God for His care, don’t we?

is written as such a reminder of God’s care for us.

(ESV)

(ESV)

[SLIDE 4] 1 Oh give thanks [praise] to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

107 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so [speak], whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands [earth], from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

whom he has redeemed from trouble

Opening: Give thanks; Why? because God is good and His love is forever.

3 and gathered in from the lands,

[SLIDE 5] 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the south.

[SLIDE 5] 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted [was overwhelmed] within them.

their soul fainted within them.

6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered [saved] them from their distress.

and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight [right] way till they reached a city to dwell in.

till they reached a city to dwell in.

8 Let them thank [praise] the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

[SLIDE 6] 10 Some sat [dwelled] in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned [despised] the counsel of the Most High.

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

First scene:

a. Some had no city/home in which to live (ref: the Exodus);

b. overwhelmed with hunger and thirst;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God saved them and led them to a city/home (ref: Promised Land)

[SLIDE 6] 10 Some sat [dwelled] in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned [despised] the counsel of the Most High.

prisoners in affliction and in irons,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,

and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he bowed [humbled] their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.

they fell down, with none to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered [saved] them from their distress.

and he delivered them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst [broke] their bonds apart.

and burst their bonds apart.

[SLIDE 7] 15 Let them thank [praise] the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

16 For he shatters [destroys] the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

and cuts in two the bars of iron.

[SLIDE 8] 17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities [perversity] suffered affliction;

Second scene:

a. Some were prisoners;

b. rebelled against the word of God and despised his counsel;

c. humbled with hard labor and no help in sight (ref: Captivity in Egypt);

d. they cried out to God;

e. God broke their bonds and saved them

[SLIDE 8] 17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities [perversity] suffered affliction;

and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

and they drew near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered [saved] them from their distress.

and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered [saved] them from their destruction.

and delivered them from their destruction.

21 Let them thank [praise] the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving [praise], and tell of his deeds [works/acts] in songs of joy!

[SLIDE 9] 23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing [evil (vs 26)] business [work] on the great [many] waters;

and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

a. Some chose foolish paths (ref: Exiles);

b. couldn’t eat;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God sent His word, healed them, and saved them;

[SLIDE 9] 23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing [evil (vs 26)] business [work] on the great [many] waters;

doing [evil (vs 26)] business on the great waters;

24 they saw the deeds [works] of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.

his wondrous works in the deep.

25 For he commanded [spoke] and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;

their courage melted away in their evil plight;

their courage melted away in their evil plight;

27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end [all their wisdom was swallowed up].

and were at their wits’ end.

[SLIDE 10] 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed [silenced].

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet [calm], and he brought [led] them to their desired haven [city].

and he brought them to their desired haven.

31 Let them thank [praise] the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

32 Let them extol [exalt] him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

(vs 33-38 is synopsis of vs 4-9)

a. Some were evil businessmen (ref: those who rely on their own strength);

b. stormy seas overwhelmed their courage—they couldn’t figure a way out;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God silenced the waves, calmed the waters, brought them back home, and saved them.

and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

(vs 33-38 is synopsis of vs 4-9)

33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.

springs of water into thirsty ground,

[SLIDE 11] 33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty [dry] ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.

34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,

because of the evil of its inhabitants.

35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched [dry] land into springs of water.

a parched land into springs of water.

36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;

and they establish a city to live in;

37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield [crop].

and get a fruitful yield.

38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock [cattle] diminish.

and he does not let their livestock diminish.

(vs 39-40 is a synopsis of vs 10-16)

(vs 39-40 is a synopsis of vs 10-16)

[SLIDE 12] 39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow [grief], 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

through oppression, evil, and sorrow,

40 he pours contempt on princes

(v 41 is a synopsis of vs 17-22)

(v 41 is a synopsis of vs 17-22)

and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

[SLIDE 13] 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.

and makes their families like flocks.

(v 42 is a synopsis of vs 23-32)

(v 42 is a synopsis of vs 23-32)

42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

[SLIDE 14] 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

(conclusion)

[SLIDE 15] Main Point: Give thanks to the Lord

Why?

[SLIDE 14] 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

v.1 He is good to us

v.1 His steadfast love for us endures forever

[SLIDE 16] 4 scenes are given

Scene 1: Some wandered in desert wastes

Scene 2: Some were prisoners

Scene 3: Some were fools

Scene 4: Some were evil businessmen

[SLIDE 17] First scene (vs 4-9):

[SLIDE 17] First scene (vs 4-9):

let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

[SLIDE 17] First scene:

a. Some had no city/home in which to live (ref: the Exodus);

b. overwhelmed with hunger and thirst;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God saved them and led them to a city/home (ref: Promised Land)

Application: Military life can feel very much like this—not having a home or being away from our loved ones and our friends; living in a strange place

But, Jesus said in that He is preparing a place for us in our Father’s house and in time, He will return to get us

Truth be told: No place on earth is home.

[SLIDE 18] Second scene (vs 10-16):

[SLIDE 18] Second scene (vs 10-16):

a. Some were prisoners;

b. rebelled against the word of God and despised his counsel;

c. humbled with hard labor and no help in sight (ref: Captivity in Egypt for 430 years to a master that cared nothing for their well-being);

d. they cried out to God;

e. God broke their bonds and saved them

Application: When we rebel against God and His Word; when we ignore His counsel, we reveal that we are still prisoners of our sin having no desire to turn from it; be sure of this: God will humble us

[SLIDE 19] Third scene (vs 17-22):

a. Some chose foolish paths (ref: Exiles—desire to return to Egypt);

b. couldn’t eat;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God sent His word, healed them, and saved them;

Application: Suffering comes to those who willfully choose foolish ways; even good food was loathed and rejected—they couldn’t enjoy it; foolish paths may seem fun for a time, but eventually, they are seen for what they are—stupid endeavors that can waste time, money, and even relationships

[SLIDE 20] Fourth scene (vs 23-32):

a. Some were evil businessmen (ref: those who rely on their own strength);

a. Some had no city/home in which to live;

b. overwhelmed with hunger and thirst;

b. stormy seas overwhelmed their courage—they couldn’t figure a way out;

c. they cried out to God;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God saved them and led them to a city/home

d. God silenced the waves, calmed the waters, brought them back home, and saved them.

Application:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

v27 tells us that they “were at their wits’ end” or out another way, they couldn’t figure their way out of the situation. We try to figure it out on our own; some of us have believed the lie that God helps those who help themselves, but it simply isn’t true!; God helps those who recognize their need of Him—those who turn to Jesus in their time of need knowing that only God can save them

[SLIDE 21] In every scene...

but its end is the way to death.

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

[SLIDE 21] In every scene...

when they cried out, God delivered them

a. Some were prisoners;

[SLIDE 22] In every scene...

b. rebelled against the word of God and despised his counsel;

c. humbled with hard labor and no help in sight;

they were encouraged to thank the Lord for His steadfast love

this is not the first time we see this statement in the Bible...

d. they cried out to God;

e. God broke their bonds and saved them

[SLIDE 23] , , and 136:1-26 “his steadfast love endures forever.”

[SLIDE 24] Regardless of our circumstances...

[SLIDE 24] Regardless of our circumstances...

we should “consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

Closing prayer

[SLIDE 25] Communion

a. Some were troubled/worried;

[SLIDE 25] Communion

[SLIDE 25] Communion

b. couldn’t eat;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God sent His word, healed them, and saved them;

Fourth scene:

a. Some were evil businessmen;

b. stormy seas overwhelmed their courage—they couldn’t figure a way out;

c. they cried out to God;

d. God silenced the waves, calmed the waters, brought them back home, and saved them.