Forget Not All His Benefits
Psalm 103:1-5, 2 Chronicles 32:24-26
1. Most of us are looking forward to an amazing Thanksgiving dinner – a small version of what we had at church last Wednesday night.
2. But what if you burn the bird? There is a positive way of looking at it:
• Salmonella won't be a concern
• No one will overeat.
• Everyone will think it's Cajun Blackened.
• Uninvited guests will think twice next year.
• Your cheese broccoli lima bean casserole will gain newly found appreciation.
• Pets won't pester you for scraps.
• The smoke alarm was due for a test.
• Carving the bird will provide a good cardiovascular workout.
• After dinner, the guys can take the bird to the yard and play football.
• You'll get to the desserts quicker.
• You won't have to face three weeks of turkey sandwiches. http://www.humormatters.com/
3. I must confess, I sometimes find it difficult to be positive. I think I would find it really hard to be thankful for a burnt turkey.
Main Idea: Neglecting to regularly thank God is a sin, but thanking Him frequently blesses His Name and blesses our walk with Him.
I. Failing to Bless Yahweh for All His BENEFITS is a Sure Sign of a HAUGHTY Spirit (1-2)!
A. HEZEKIAH failed miserably in this way (2 Chronicles 32:24-26).
(also see 2 Kings 20: 1-19)
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
1. He failed to “Make RETURN” to God.
2. Feeling entitled instead of grateful is a sign of ARROGANCE.
3. HUMBLING ourselves can avert God’s judgment.
Nowadays, many Christians don’t believe God disciplines and judges, so, to their way of thinking, God blesses their lives whether they are arrogant or humble.
B. Israel, though warned, FAILED (Deuteronomy 8:11-20, passim).
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, … Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day... And if you forget the Lord your God … Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish…”
C. HUMANISM fails today.
According to Google, humanism is “an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.”
• Thanksgiving is not about being thankful, at least originally. It was about giving thanks to God and acknowledging our dependence upon God. If you take God out, you have defeated the original intent of the holiday.
II. The Lord Provides Us with Many BENEFITS to Which We Are Not ENTITLED (3-5).
It doesn’t take long for us to develop a sense of entitlement, a sense that we are owed a happy, comfortable, easy life. It is not wrong to want this, but it is wrong to feel entitled.
1. A student expects to pass a class or get a good grade without studying and turning in his assignments on time.
2. A friend who wants you to be there for them, but is not there for you.
3. People who don’t want to play by the same rules as everyone else.
4. A person who expects the government and local charities to support him/her permanently.
At heart, this is a spiritual and theological issue. God owes us nothing. He expects us to be responsible, plan ahead, practice self-disciple, and do our duty, whether we feel like it or not. He expects us to appreciate everything we have – whether we worked and trained and saved for it or not – as a gift from His hand.
A. His FORGIVENESS
B. HEALTH (3)
Romans 8:23, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only the thankful one received the Lord’s blessing.
C. REDEMPTION (4a)
Psalm 16:9-11, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
D. Hesed, and MERCY (4)
1. God’s hesed – his covenant-keeping love – is coupled to the idea of faithfulness. God’s blessing us flows from His love toward us.
2. His mercy is God not giving us all that we deserve.
E. The GOOD things with which He satisfies us (5a)
F. His help to keep GOING, even in old age (5b).
• Energizer bunny
