“Giving Thanks Unto The Lord”
Psalm 105:1-7
As we look at the many prayers in the Bible I am reminded that there are many subjects in prayer. There is deliverance, direction, determination, discouragement, and the list could go on, but today I want to look at the important prayer of Giving Thanks.
When we get into the fall season in America we are often reminded of the holiday of “Thanksgiving” and we spend time remembering what was done that brought America into existence, and we should be thankful for that, but also in our daily lives I believe it is important that we see all that the Lord has done and give Him praise.
I realize that this prayer remembers all that God promised to Abraham; yet I remind you that we are grafted into this family and should rejoice with Israel because it was through them, as a people, that the Saviour came to bring us life.
I am not here to pump anyone up, but to remind all that the LORD is worthy to be praised!
I. The Task To Which We Are Called. Psalm 105:1-4
1. We give thanks to him, as one who has always been our supply and asks only that we give Him thanks for all that He provides. Vs. 1
2. We call upon his name, as one who depends upon Him for direction and blessings. Vs. 1
We call upon His name for mercy and grace that we are not even aware of.
We call upon His name because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him.
Psalms 40:1 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
3. We make known his deeds that others may join with you in praising him. Vs. 1
We speak of all his wondrous works, as we talk of things that the Lord has done for us.
God's wondrous works ought to be our familiar conversations with all who will listen, not merely for entertainment, but for encouraging of our own and others' faith and hope in God.
4. “Sing psalms unto him: Vs. 2
Rejoice in him, and desire to tell others of the joy that is within you.
When the Lord is working in hearts there is a song that just keeps coming to the surface.
Sing it!!!!
5. Talk ye of all his wondrous works. Vs. 3
When someone sees your life and asks, “What changed?”
Give the Lord praise!
1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
6. Glory in his holy name Vs. 3
Glory – to shine, boast, celebrate
Not boasting of what we accomplished, but boast on what the Lord has done!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
7. Let the hearts of those rejoice that do seek him Vs. 3b.
Matthew Henry, “If those have reason to rejoice that seek the Lord, much more those that have found him.”
8. Seek him; Vs. 4
A. Seek the LORD, and his strength: - His Grace and Mercy
B. Seek his face evermore. - the Lord does not and will not give up on me so why should I give up on Him?
II. The Case To Encourage Us To Give Thanks
Psalm 105:5-7
1. “Consider both what he has done and what he has said. Vs. 5
We could see ourselves under obligations to give thanks to him, and call upon his name, if we remember the “marvellous works that He hath done.”
I do not need to be forced to thank Him, I thank God freely.
How deep is your faith?
2. “Consider our relationship in him Vs. 6
“O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.”
We are the seed of Abraham his servant; we are born in his house, and being thereby entitled to the privilege of his protection and provision.
We are the children of Jacob his chosen, and are chosen and beloved for the fathers' sake, and therefore ought to walk in the steps of those who are blessed by God.
We are God's church, His bride and if we do not praise him, who will?
3. Consider: He is the Lord our God, Vs.7
We depend upon him,
We are devoted to him,
From him our hope of the future lies in Him.
Should not a people seek unto their God and praise their God?
He is Jehovah our God.
“He that is our God is self-existent and self-sufficient; His judgments are in all the earth; he governs the whole world in wisdom, and gives law to all nations, even to those that know him not.” Matthew Henry
Conclusion:
Prayer is so much more than just asking or seeking; it is also finding Him.
IF you know Christ as your Saviour then you know Him as your LORD!
I wonder how many around us know what we know?
Spread the Good News… Jesus is our salvation and ought to be our main thought in our conversations to others.
