86,400 Seconds: A Gift Of Thanksgiving Psalm 118:24 Series

86,400 Seconds: A Gift of Thanksgiving Psalm 118:24

Introduction:

Today, I want to talk about the precious gift God gives us every single day: 86,400 seconds. Each second is an opportunity to say “thank you.” In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the importance of gratitude, but the Bible consistently calls us to be thankful. Let's explore this through three key points that will help us cultivate a heart of gratitude and use our time wisely.

Point 1: Recognizing the Gift of Each Day

Psalm 118:24 (NLT): "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118 is a powerful hymn of thanksgiving. The psalmist acknowledges the day as a divine gift, a creation of the Lord. The Hebrew word for "day" is "yom", which signifies not just a 24-hour period but a time appointed by God.

Understanding that each day is a creation of the Lord transforms our perspective. Recognizing that every second is crafted by God's hands compels us to rejoice and be glad. This joy isn't dependent on circumstances but on the knowledge that we are living in God's time.

Begin each day with a heart of gratitude. When you wake up, take a moment to thank God for the gift of a new day. Let this attitude of thankfulness shape your interactions and decisions throughout the day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT): "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Point 2: Expressing Gratitude in All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT): "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is filled with instructions for living a holy life. In this verse, Paul emphasizes the importance of gratitude regardless of circumstances. The Greek word for "thankful" is "e??a??ste?te" (eucharisteite), which implies an active, continuous expression of thanks.

Gratitude is not conditional. Paul instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances because it aligns with God’s will for us. This gratitude is a reflection of our trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when life is challenging.

Develop a habit of thanking God throughout the day, not just in good times but also in difficult moments. This practice will deepen your faith and help you see God's hand in every aspect of your life.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT): "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Point 3: Using Our Words to Build Up and Encourage

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT): "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

Paul's letter to the Ephesians offers practical advice for Christian living. In this verse, he addresses the power of words. The Greek word for "encouragement" is "????d?µ?" (oikodome), meaning to build up.

Our words have the power to edify or destroy. By choosing to speak words that are good and helpful, we align ourselves with God’s desire for us to be sources of encouragement. This aligns with our gratitude because a thankful heart naturally overflows with positive, uplifting words.

Make a conscious effort to use your words to encourage others. Whether it's a simple "thank you" or a more profound expression of gratitude, let your speech reflect the thankfulness in your heart.

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT): "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

Conclusion and Call to Action:

Today, we have explored the importance of recognizing each day as a gift, expressing gratitude in all circumstances, and using our words to build up others. By embracing these practices, we can make the most of the 86,400 seconds God gives us each day.

Call to Action:

As we leave here today, let's commit to living with a heart of gratitude. Take time every day to thank God for His many blessings. Let your gratitude shape your interactions and speech. Remember, every second is a gift—use it wisely.

Let me share a story of a young boy who changed his family's perspective on gratitude. Every night at dinner, he would go around the table and ask each family member to share one thing they were thankful for that day. This simple practice transformed the family's outlook, bringing them closer together and helping them see God's blessings in their lives.

Let us close in prayer, asking God to help us live each day with a grateful heart and to use our words to bring life and encouragement to others.

Amen.