Gratitude for Grace

Introduction: Heidelberg Catachism - Grief, Grace, Gratitude.

Grief

Story of Joel

Looking back at Israel/Judah’s story - God sent Locusts/Army because of their Idolatry “Day of the Lord”

People into exile

But destruction of the land - Because of Human sin.

Our Story

God’s good creation - All was good. - Garden of Eden - Picture of abundance.

Human beings - Very Good.

God’s Abundant Generosity, Human rulership over creation, Creation thriving.

Sin - Relationship with God Broken, Relationships between humans broken, Men and women cursed, Land Cursed, Animals cursed.

But there is rejoicing in this passage.

Grace

Restoration - Land, then animals, then God’s people, but it is like a crescendo

(Land) first simply because God has done great things.

(Wild Animals) - second they experience an abundance of food.

(The People of God) -

Rain

Righteousness

Abundant Crops

Food

No more shame - Adam and Eve Covered in Shame.

The Presence of God.

Great Reversal of the Locust/Babylonian Army’s Destruction.

The Refrain throughout - God has done great things or has dealt wondrously with you.

So it is by Grace - God’s doing, God’s acts despite human activity.

General Grace - God providing for the welfare of all no matter their sin - lets the rain fall on the wicked as well as the righteous

Saving Grace - Israel’s Story is a pointer to our salvation Story - Exile (Death), Return (Resurrection, Restoration, The New Creation.)

So we are called to Gratitude for Both.

Gratitude - Grateful for God’s Grace.

Ways to be Grateful.

Rejoice with Creation - Be grateful that the land is producing.

Be Grateful that all creatures are thriving.

The Abundance of Deer

Because it reminds us that all these things exist only because of God’s Grace. We can live in Gratitude for our very lives and the abundance he supplies.

Along with that we can be grateful for the people and relationships God has gifted us with.

Be Grateful for the Gospel of Grace.

By God’s Grace, He removes our shame.

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 222 בּוֹשׁ

The primary meaning of this root is “to fall into disgrace, normally through failure, either of self or of an object of trust.”

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 222 בּוֹשׁ

the English stresses the inner attitude, the state of mind, while the Hebrew means “to come to shame” and stresses the sense of public disgrace, a physical state.

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 222 בּוֹשׁ

If Israel seeks to insure her own glory by refusing to trust in God but rather trusts in idols (Isa 1:29) or in foreign nations (Isa 20:5; 30:3,5), she will not get glory, but shame and disgrace. On the other hand, if one will humbly submit to God, he will find his true glory, for God will not let that person come to shame

We know this happens by God’s Grace through Jesus bearing our shame on our behalf on the cross.

Finally Grateful for the Grace of God’s presence. In fullness when the final restoration happens, but even now by the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: Express Gratitude this Weekend for.

God’s Abundance in Creation (the land, animals)

God’s Saving Grace - His restoration, his bearing our shame, His Presence.

Our life will be a source of Grace to others.