Recognize and appreciate the abundance of God's blessings in our lives, even in the everyday things we often take for granted.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into the rich and inspiring book of Joel, chapter 2, verses 21 to 27. This passage is a beautiful reminder of our blessings and the abundance God pours into our lives. It's all about acknowledging God's gifts, offering gratitude, and understanding the blessings of the soil, animals, and us human beings.
In the words of Dr. David Jeremiah, "No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful." This quote serves as a perfect backdrop for our sermon today. Let's not forget to seek God in every aspect of our lives, including in the everyday blessings we often take for granted.
Here is our scripture passage for today:
"Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield. O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame." (Joel 2:21-27)
Offering gratitude to God is more than just saying "thank you" to God; it's a profound recognition of His love, mercy, and blessings in our lives. It's about acknowledging that everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will become is a gift from God. This recognition should not be a sporadic act, but rather a daily habit that shapes our lives and our relationship with God.
A powerful tool for transformation: It shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance that's already present in our lives. In our scripture passage today we see the Lord promising abundance to His people. He assures them of plentiful grain, overflowing vats of wine and oil, and the restoration of what has been lost. The Lord's promise is not just of physical abundance, but also of spiritual abundance - a life filled with His presence, His love, and His grace.
Easy to overlook these blessings: We often take for granted the air we breathe, the food we eat, the people who love us, and the opportunities we have. We focus on our problems, our challenges, and our desires, forgetting to appreciate what we already have. This is where the practice of gratitude comes in. It reminds us to pause, to look around, and to recognize God's blessings.
Deepens our relationship with God: When we express our thanks to Him, we acknowledge His sovereignty and His goodness. We affirm our faith in His promises. We declare that we trust Him, that we depend on Him, and that we recognize His hand in every aspect of our lives. This act of gratitude brings us closer to God, strengthens our faith, and fills our hearts with joy and peace.
An act of worship: When we thank God, we are not just acknowledging His gifts; we are also acknowledging Him as the Giver. We are recognizing His power, His wisdom, and His love. We are glorifying Him and honoring Him. We are declaring that He is God, and that we are His people. This act of worship deepens our love for God, strengthens our commitment to Him, and inspires us to serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
A powerful testimony: When we express our thanks to God, we are testifying to His goodness and His faithfulness. We are declaring that He is a God who keeps His promises, a God who provides for His people, and a God who restores what has been lost. This testimony can inspire others to seek God, to trust Him, and to experience His love and His blessings.
The prophet Joel uses the imagery of the soil and animals to illustrate the abundant blessings that God bestows upon His people ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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