A Thanksgiving Response Of Gratitude

Sermon: A Thanksgiving Response of Gratitude

Psalms 85:1 “LORD, You have been gracious to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sins. Selah. 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the heat of Your anger. 4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not give us life again, so that Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation."

Introduction: Psalms 85 begins with a heart of gratitude. The Psalmist understands that present afflictions should not cause him to forget God’s former mercies. The favour of God is the fountain of happiness to the nation, as well as to each of us in particular. Although the psalmist appreciate food, clothing and shelter, he is thinking of more eternal blessings. When God forgives our sin, he covers them; and when he covers the sin of his people, he covers them all. The pardon of sin is when God removes our sin as far the east is from the west. In compassion for us, God sent his only son, Jesus Christ as our Intercessor who is able to stand before a Holy, Righteous God in the place of every repentant sinner who believe. Because of Christ the righteous anger of God has been turned away. We are reconciled to God, and we may expect and experience the comfort of God being reconciled to us. He shows mercy to those to whom he grants salvation; for salvation is the result of His grace and mercy. It is also a great mercy that does not leave his children in their sin. The Lord's people may expect sharp and tedious afflictions when they commit sin; but when they return to him with humble prayer, he will make them again to rejoice in him.

This is a great delight to me because, in it, the psalmist proper assessed the condition of the nation and cries to God in prayer. I hope during this season gratitude, you have found time to pray. Throughout the Scriptures, there are hundreds of times when God sent his messengers to inform His people of their needy condition. Most where blind to their condition. Even the seven churches of Revelation did not know their spiritual condition. Ephesus had lost their first love, Rich Smyrna thought they were poor, faithful Thyatira had allow Jezebel, a false prophet to teach, dying Sardis thought they were lively, Pergamos was holding on to God and teaching error, and on fire Laodicea was really luke warm. What a great blessing that sends His word to bring healing and wholeness to his people.

The psalmist understands that he and his people have received a great blessing from God. First, God had brought them out of captivity. Secondly, God had given a homeland, a place of their own. Now desires that God would complete the wonderful work He has started in them. The psalmist is careful not to blame God for their present struggles. He knows unrepentant sin and wayward living are the culprit. He also knows the tendency of people to sin. He desires a attentive heart that is sensitive enough to put away sin and draw close to God. God had given Israel victory so many times. The people of God are prone to turn to folly as the Bible calls it. Old folk use to say, “to act the fool.” The idea is that one has a relationship with, has the right instruction, and the will to act, yet choose to live foolishly. Why is it so difficult to response to God with a heart of gratitude? Why is it so easy to grant God and his goodness for grant it? At one moment, Israel would be refreshed in the presence of God, sensing the realness of God’s power, and receiving the fulfillment of His promises, then they would wander away from God, back into sin and then into bondage. David’s knew from personal experience what it was to walk in the refreshing presence of God, to experience the realness of his power, and to receive God’s promised blessings. Yet he also knew the rebuke and reproof of God, the remorse of sin and separation. Then he experienced the joy of restoration. A Proper Response of Gratitude to God is hard to find in a selfish generation. The lack of gratitude leads to lack of contentment. So there is no lasting joy and peace. There is so much ripping and running to every place except to the presence of God. There are several things I want us to consider of thanksgiving, many people want stimulation without change.