Be Grateful To God Series

Included in the Epilogue of this book is a song of thanksgiving written by David.

• The author says David sang it; he did not simply tell God that he was grateful, he sang it. Can tell he was happy and glad for what God has done.

• This song is Psalm 18, with some words changed or rephrased, likely to suit the music so that the people of Israel can sing.

The most important thing about this song is the REASON for it - what give birth to this song.

• The author says David sang because “the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” (v.1)

• David fought many battles and over a long period of time. He was a great fighter and a good one.

• Remember the time when he overcame the Philistine and the women danced and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” (1 Sam 18:7)

• I believe David was obviously the better fighter.

He was good, BUT despite his competence, David recognises God as the ONE who has given him the victories. It’s all about God.

• That’s the mark of a great man – his humility. It’s never about him.

• If you want to be great, be humble.

DAVID ACKNOWLEDGES GOD IN ALL HIS SUCCESSES

• This is the reason why some people give thanks, and others don’t. They FAIL to see the HAND OF GOD in their success.

• “I work hard to earn a living and I pay for my own food, so why do I have to give thanks?”

• If we fail to see God’s hand in it, there is nothing for us to thank Him for. We earned it. We achieved it.

Remember the healing of the TEN LEPERS in Luke 17, when 10 lepers came to Jesus and were healed. Only ONE came back praising God and giving thanks.

• Leprosy is an incurable disease (at the time) and they were healed! It is a supernatural act of God, a miracle they had just received by the grace of God!

• Yet only ONE came back to say THANK YOU because only one SEE the HAND OF GOD in it!

Jesus was shocked: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18)

• The one who came back was a Samaritan. Jesus expected the Jews to know better. If the Samaritan is not sure of who God is, well, he’s a Samaritan!

• But what about you, the Jews? Don’t you know God, through the Law? Why didn’t you give thanks to God when He did something so miraculous for you?

“Why do we NOT give thanks?” Have you ever thought about it?

• I’m not talking about bad situations like failing your exams, losing your job, falling ill… but the obvious good that we receive, like the healing of the lepers.

• So why don’t we give thanks for what God has done?

I don’t give thanks because I don’t SEE GOD in it; I’m seeing something else.

(1) I am preoccupied by my gift. I took the toy, like a child, and ran away to play with it. Enjoying the gift is all that matters.

(2) I am too preoccupied by myself. “Look at me, I’m good. I won the battle, I’m first in class. I won the race.” Self-centredness blinds me to God’s role.

I am not seeing God’s hand in it because I am looking only at myself and my blessings, my healings, my victories, my successes.

• Actually, I am beginning to feel I DESERVED it. I feel I EARNED it. I feel I’ve ACHIEVED it.

• Where is God in all of these? Not too sure. I am not seeing Him clearly.

David says in Psalm 103:2-5 “… forget not all his benefits” and then went on to list what God has done (as if we have forgotten): “3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

The healing of the incurable lepers – 10 at one go - was such a miraculous feat that it was unthinkable to Jesus to see only ONE returning and acknowledging God for it.

• It is easy for David to believe that he has achieved these victories, but he did not. God is the ONE who has delivered him from ALL his enemies.

DAVID BELIEVES GOD IS HIS SECURITY

2 Sam 22:2-3 - He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour - from violent men you save me.