A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING
Text: 1 Chronicles 16:7 – 36
Introduction:
• Ark represented presence and glory of God
• Philistines had captured Ark at Shiloh and displayed it for several months in Philistia
• Dagon bows and is broken, men of the city develop tumors and some die
• Sent the Ark to Beth Shemesh and Kirjath Jearim where it stayed for about 100 years
• David captures Jerusalem from Jebusites and makes it the political and religious capital, decides to bring Ark
• Not transported according to God’s law, and Uzzah died because he tried to keep it from falling off a cart
• Kept in the house of Obed-Edom for 3 months until they found the proper way to transport
• This psalm that David sings is a combination of parts of Psalms 105, 96, 106 and contains the four elements that should be present in true thanksgiving
Body:
A. Remember what God has done (v. 12)
• His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• Pilgrims remembered what God did for them (Governor William Bradford, Plymouth Colony - "To all ye pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I your magistrate do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.")
• Remember what He has done for our country
• Remember what He has done for your friends and family
• Remember what He has done for you
B. Tell others about what God has done (v. 24)
• Praise reports in Sunday School
• Testimony, tell about answered prayers, describe how He works in your life and in the lives of others
C. Give God the glory (vv. 27 – 29a)
• Give Him the credit
• Joseph (Genesis 41:16), Daniel (2:27, 28a)
D. Offer gifts and sacrifices (v. 29b)
• Self, time, and resources
• Romans 12:1 – living sacrifices
• Give back some of what He has blessed you with by giving to others (Matthew 25:37 – 40)
• Holding back tithes to buy Christmas presents
• Holding an office, being a witness, using your talents and gifts
Conclusion:
• World is so wrapped up in preparing for Christmas that they have forgotten about Thanksgiving
• v. 8, 34
• Has God done something for you that you need to thank Him for?
