Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. As we gather here today, in the sanctuary of His love, we are reminded of the profound words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." The beauty of this statement lies in its simplicity and its profound truth. It speaks to the heart of what we will be discussing today – Thankfulness in Trials, Trust in His Goodness, and Triumph through Praise.

Isn't it often the case, dear friends, that we find ourselves in the midst of trials and tribulations, questioning the goodness of God? Yet, it is in these very moments that we are called to trust in His goodness, to give thanks in our trials, and to triumph through praise. It is in these very moments that we are called to remember the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 100:

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

These words, dear friends, are not just a call to worship, but a call to trust, to thankfulness, and to triumph. They are a call to remember that the Lord is good, that His love endures forever, and that His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we gather here today, we ask for Your guidance. Open our hearts and minds to Your word. Help us to trust in Your goodness, to give thanks in our trials, and to triumph through praise. May Your love and faithfulness be ever present in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Let’s get started!

Thankfulness in Trials

In the midst of hardship, it can be challenging to find a reason to be grateful. The pain and suffering can feel overwhelming, and it's easy to question why these things are happening. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that we are called to express our gratitude. This may seem counterintuitive, but it is a powerful act of faith. It is a declaration that we trust in God's plan for us, even when we can't see the bigger picture.

Gratitude in the face of adversity: This is not about denying the reality of our pain. It's not about pretending that everything is fine when it's not. It's about acknowledging our suffering and then choosing to focus on the blessings that are still present in our lives. It's about recognizing that even in the darkest times, there is still light to be found.

This is not an easy thing to do: It requires a shift in perspective, a willingness to look beyond our immediate circumstances and see the broader context of our lives. It requires us to remember that our trials are temporary, but God's love for us is eternal. It requires us to remember that even when we feel alone, we are never truly alone because God is always with us.

The act of expressing gratitude: This has a transformative effect on our hearts and minds. It helps us to cultivate a positive mindset, to focus on the good rather than the bad. It helps us to maintain a sense of hope, even when things seem hopeless. It helps us to remain resilient, even when we feel like giving up.

The Psalmist understood this: He knew that in the midst of trials, it was crucial to give thanks to God. He knew that this act of gratitude was not just a form of worship, but a form of spiritual warfare. It was a way to combat the feelings of despair and hopelessness that can so easily creep in during difficult times.

Gratitude is not just about thanking God for the good things: It's also about thanking Him for the challenges, the trials, the hardships. Because it is through these experiences that we grow and mature as believers. It is through these experiences that we come to understand the depth of God's love for us.

In the midst of trials, it can be easy to lose sight of this: It can be easy to focus on the pain and forget about the purpose. But the Psalmist reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on God, to remember His goodness, His love, His faithfulness. He reminds us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, no matter what we're going through.

A message for us today: In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, it's easy to get caught up in our problems and forget about the bigger picture. But the Psalmist reminds us to stay grounded in our faith, to express our gratitude, to trust in God's goodness.

Trust in His Goodness

As we continue to reflect on the wisdom of the Psalmist, we find ourselves drawn to the affirmation of God's goodness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO