Reasons for Developing a Thankful Heart (2)

Reasons for Developing a Thankful Heart

Psalm 106:1–10 NLT

1 Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough? 3 There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. 4 Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. 5 Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. 6 Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! 7 Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. 8 Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. 9 He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert. 10 So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes.

INTRODUCTION:

A- The Background:

1- This psalm was likely written during a time of Israel’s exile.

a. The psalmist rehearses Israel’s history:

(1) Points out God’s faithfulness, love and mercy.

(2) Points out Israel’s unfaithfulness, ingratitude and rebellion against God.

2- The psalmist calls the people of God to return to God.

a. Notice the initial call is to heart-felt thanksgiving and praise.

B- The Application:

1- You and I need to do a spiritual inventory.

2- You and I need to cultivate and develop a thankful heart.

Why?

I- A THANKFUL HEART RECOGNIZES GOD'S GOODNESS. (Psalm 106:1-2)

Psalm 106:1–2 NLT

1 Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?

A- His goodness is expressed in His faithful love.

B- His goodness is expressed in His glorious miracles.

II- A THANKFUL HEART RESISTS THE TEMPTATION TO REBEL AGAINST GOD. (Psalm 106:6-15)

A- The reason that we give in to temptation is forgetfulness.

(Psalm 106:7)

Psalm 106:7 NLT

7 Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.

(Psalm 106:13)

Psalm 106:13 NLT

13 Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!

B- Forgetting God’s goodness leads to rebellion.

(Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14)

Psalm 106:6–7 NLT

6 Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! 7 Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.

Psalm 106:13–14 NLT

13 Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! 14 In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland.

III- A THANKFUL HEART REPRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF JEALOUSY. (Psalm 106:16-18)

Psalm 106:16–18 NLT

16 The people in the camp were jealous of Moses and envious of Aaron, the Lord’s holy priest. 17 Because of this, the earth opened up; it swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and the other rebels. 18 Fire fell upon their followers; a flame consumed the wicked.

A- Jealousy comes when we are not thankful for what God has done for us.

B- The best way to avoid a jealous spirit is to develop a thankful heart.

IV- A THANKFUL HEART REMEMBERS THE SAVIOR WHO SAVED IT. (Psalm 106:19-22)

Psalm 106:19–22 NLT

19 The people made a calf at Mount Sinai; they bowed before an image made of gold. 20 They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. 21 They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt— 22 such wonderful things in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Red Sea.

A- A Thankful heart keeps its focus on its savior.

V- A THANKFUL HEART REALIGNS THE BELIEVER'S ALLEGIANCE FROM THE WORLD TO THE LORD. (Psalm 106:24-25, 35-36, 47-48)

Psalm 106:24–25 NLT

24 The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. 25 Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord.

Psalm 106:35–36 NLT

35 Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. 36 They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall.

Psalm 106:47–48 NLT

47 Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. 48 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!

A- Notice the Problems that resulted from the lack of thankfulness:

1- A refusal to follow in obedience to God. (vs. 24a)

2- Unbelief (vs. 24b)

3- Conformity with the unbelieving world (vs. 35)

4- Idolatry (vs. 36)

B- A thankful heart realigns the believer’s commitment.

1- Repentance (vs. 47a)

2- Restoration (vs. 47b)

3- Realignment (vs. 47c-48)

CONCLUSION: