Hey Gang,
This is our final lesson in this series on worship. This week we look at the basic courtesy of giving thanks to God for His great blessings in our lives.
What motivates us to express gratitude to God? We often remember to thank Him when something positive happens in our life. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all things, which includes difficult times as well as happier circumstances. Of course, thanking God for something painful may seem illogical—but it is not. There are a number of reasons why, no matter what we are going through, it truly is “good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1).
The first reason is stated in Psalm 107:1, which tells us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Even though life may be difficult, our hope and joy remain because we serve the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God of love. When people are good to us, we can call or send a note. But when God is good, what do we do? How do we show thanks to God?
It's hard to be thankful when you're dealing with heartache and disappointment.
What motivates us to express gratitude to God? We often remember to thank Him when something positive happens in our life. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all things, which includes difficult times as well as happier circumstances. Of course, thanking God for something painful may seem illogical—but it is not. There are a number of reasons why, no matter what we are going through, it truly is “good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1).
The first reason is stated in Psalm 107:1, which tells us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Even though life may be difficult, our hope and joy remain because we serve the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God of love. When people are good to us, we can call or send a note. But when God is good, what do we do? How do we show thanks to God?
It's hard to be thankful when you're dealing with heartache and disappointment.
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How could anyone give thanks for the tragedy that befalls this Virginian family? The year is 1863. Wealthy landowner Charlie Anderson, a man of peace despite his autocratic behavior, steadfastly refuses to take sides in the Civil War. Bit by bit, Charlie's isolationism - and his way of living - is torn apart. His daughter, Jannie falls in love with Confederate soldier Sam. His youngest son, Boy is captured by the Confederate army and taken prisoner. Charlie and most of his family go searching for the Boy, while his son, James and his wife, Ann, are left behind to later be murdered by looters. And his oldest son, Jacob is accidentally killed in their final search for the Boy. In the end, what's left of the Anderson family is found in church Praising God from Whom All Blessings Flow.
Does God punish the ungrateful?
It’s time we begin developing a habit of thanking God by noticing truly good happenings in our days.
Psalm 107 — Rescue and Reversal: This psalm is a hymn of praise to God, who rescues His people and reverses their ruin in redemption.
Psalm 107 — Rescue and Reversal: This psalm is a hymn of praise to God, who rescues His people and reverses their ruin in redemption.
I. RECOGNIZE THE GIVER – PSALM 107:1-3
Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe 3 and has gathered them from the lands— from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
The first three verses constitute an introduction, giving us an overall theme.
We teach our children at a very young age to say thank you when someone does something for them or gives them a gift. Gratitude is something that has to be taught. It’s easy to allow ourselves to stay focused on our problems and needs or to fail to appreciate the good God does. Consequently, our prayers center much more on asking for help than on thanking God for who He is and what He does.
Do you tend to thank God more for what He has done or for what He is like?
- Do you recognize God as the Giver of all blessings?
- How do you recognize the Giver?
What are at least three reasons, from these verses, God’s people should give Him thanks?
- He is good, His faithful love, and He has redeemed us.
Who are the redeemed of the Lord? Who are the foes?
- The redeemed of the Lord are the people God has saved. The word suggests a personal relationship between God and His people.
- Foes might refer to a human enemy or a difficult situation. We boomers have encountered both difficult people and difficult situations.
How can we develop a habit of thanking God?
II. SEE REASONS TO THANK – PSALM 107:4-9
4 Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live. 5 They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed within them. 6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He rescued them from their distress. 7 He led them by the right path to go to a city where they could live. 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His faithful love and His wonderful works for all humanity. 9 For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.
Commentators point out that these episodes of
rescue and reversal are not merely meant to impart figurative knowledge about
Israel’s struggles in history but also are given for us to identify with at a
personal level. They teach us to abandon self-reliance and cry out to God when
we are in situations of need and distress.
Those who walk with God have seen His goodness
displayed in their lives through good and bad. People of faith understand every
good thing comes from God’s generous provision. Every breath they take is a
gift of His mercy.
How did the psalmist describe the desperate situation of the Israelites who were wandering? In their distress, what did the people do and how did God respond?
Is it a sin to complain? How does giving thanks cure the damage of complaining?
- In 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 God eliminates 23,000 in one day for 3 reasons: Idolatry, Immorality, and Grumbling.
Here are a few reasons to thank God:
1. Thank God for being your Redeemer.
2. Thank God for being your Provider.
3. Thank God for Jesus Christ dying for your sins.
4. Thank God for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
5. Thank God for memories of loved ones.
6. Thank God for comfort in despair.
7. Thank God for prayers that He has answered.
8. Thank God for prayers that are unanswered.
9. Thank God for both pain and pleasure.
10. Thank God for love beyond compare.
We can also respond to God's blessings by obeying Him, Psalm 116:14 says, "I shall pay my vows to the LORD." God tells us what He expects of us through His Word. When we hear or read His Word, we often acknowledge God's expectations, but our tendency is to not put His Word into action. We exercise obedience by doing what God tells us to do. Obeying God is another expression of gratitude for His benefits in our lives.
How is thanking God for His blessings on others a measure of gratitude?
Gratitude begins with awareness – opening our eyes to see what God has done. It continues with pausing to appreciate what He has provided rather than rushing through life and taking it all for granted.
III. ACT WISELY – PSALM 107:33-38, 43
33 He turns rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 and fruitful land into salty wasteland, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. 35 He turns a desert into a pool of water, dry land into springs of water. 36 He causes the hungry to settle there, and they establish a city where they can live. 37 They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. 38 He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their livestock decrease.
43 Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love.
By nature we are not God lovers or God followers. Given our own way, we are rebellious and disobedient, bent toward selfishness and headed for destruction. Even so, we long for God. We just don’t realize it. God could leave us alone, but He doesn’t. He continues to draw us to Him. He shows us what to nurture (generosity, love and more). He disciplines us with loving correction. As we learn to listen to Him, we find the happiness we’re seeking.
God is all about redemption, pursuing the one lost sheep and bringing that one back into the corral. God welcomes home prodigals.
The psalmist described how God disciplines disobedient behavior and restores after righteous choices. What word pictures did he use to help us see this? It’s easy to see connections between good times and God’s goodness; how do we see God’s goodness during bad times?
Read Hebrews 12:5-11 for a good description of God's discipline.
Discipline & Restoration
1. Because God is sovereign over all the earth, all people are subject to Him. He alone made them; He alone judges them.
2. God’s judgments are always just. No one is disciplined when such is not deserved. Neither are people restored when they have not turned to God in repentance.
3. God stands ready to deliver and to restore people without regard to the problem.
4. The appropriate response to His deliverance and restoration is thanksgiving.
Conclusion:
How will you keep your focus on God’s goodness in your life, no matter whether you are experiencing positive or negative circumstances? How will you show your thanks? What habits will help you do on purpose what you intend to do? What are ways to make thanksgiving a part of our worship?
- We can be intentional about recalling the good things in our lives. Use the methods that work best for you. (Samples: thinking about, speaking out loud, making a list, starting day with three things to thank God for)
- Note ways to set aside time to reflect on God’s goodness (such as in together worship on Sunday) as well as daily habits of thankfulness.
- In worship services, we can sing, speak, or pray our thanks to God. At home we can read Scriptures that encourage thankfulness (the psalms are a good place to begin).
- Name ways to remind self and others that God is active in our lives in both good and bad times.
Are you a thankful person?
Most people would say, yes. We know God gives good gifts.
But saying thanks is more…than just being polite.
Gratitude changes everything.
Thankful people are content.
What have we not been given?
Thankful people enjoy.
That’s what gifts are for.
Thankful people are humble.
We did not earn these blessings.
Thankful people forgive.
Look at all we’ve been forgiven.
Thankful people are patient.
The Giver is never late.
Thankful people remember.
Even on the worst days.
Thankful people are generous.
They want to be givers, too.
Thankful people expect more to come.
They’ve learned to trust their Father.
Think again.
Are you a thankful person?
Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.
Prayer of Commitment
Thank you, Dear Lord, for being good to us in so many ways. Amen
Be in prayer this week as we draw this series of lessons on worship to a close. Hope you have a blessed rest of the week and we'll look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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