Introduction

Good morning! It's a joy to be here with you all today, and I am so grateful that we can gather in this sacred space to share in the word of God. Today, we're going to be looking at a passage from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, a passage that's filled with praise, worship, and thankfulness.

Before we get into the heart of our sermon, I want to share a quote with you from the great Christian thinker, J.I. Packer. He once said, "The healthy Christian is not necessarily the extrovert, ebullient Christian, but the Christian who has a sense of God's presence stamped deep on his soul, who trembles at God's word, who lets it dwell in him richly by constant meditation upon it, and who tests and reforms his life daily in response to it." This quote sets the stage for our sermon today, as we look closely at the importance of praising God's providence, partaking in worship through thanksgiving, and perpetuating a thankful lifestyle.

Let us now turn our attention to the words of Scripture.

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations...Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples...Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” - 1 Chronicles 16:8-36

Now, let's take a moment to pray before we continue.

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us here today. We are so grateful for your love, grace, and mercy. As we reflect on your word, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to receive your wisdom. Help us to understand the depth of your providence, to engage fully in worship through thanksgiving, and to live lives that reflect our gratitude for your countless blessings. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Praising God's Providence

In the passage we just read, we are called to give praise to the Lord and proclaim His name. This is more than just a call to worship. It's an invitation to acknowledge and appreciate God's providence in our lives. God's providence refers to His divine guidance and care in our lives. It's His ability to foresee our needs and provide for them. It's His capacity to guide us through life's storms and bring us safely to the other side.

God's providence is evident in the wonders He has done, the miracles He has performed, and the judgments He has pronounced. These are not random acts, but deliberate actions taken by a loving God who is deeply involved in the affairs of His people. He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations. This is a testament to His faithfulness, a quality that is integral to His providential care.

God's providence is also seen in His strength. The passage encourages us to look to the Lord and His strength. This is not just physical strength, but also emotional, mental, and spiritual strength. It's the kind of strength that sustains us in times of trouble, that gives us hope when all seems lost, and that empowers us to face the challenges of life with courage and confidence.

God's providence is further highlighted in His name. The passage urges us to glory in His holy name. In biblical times, a person's name was not just a label, but a reflection of their character and nature. To glory in God's name is to glory in who He is - a God of love, mercy, justice, and truth. It's to glory in His providential care, which is a manifestation of His character.

Finally, God's providence is manifested in His salvation. The passage calls us to proclaim His salvation day after day. Salvation is the ultimate expression of God's providential care. It's His plan to rescue us from sin and death, to restore us to a right relationship with Him, and to grant us eternal life. It's His promise to be with us always, to guide us, protect us, and provide for us.

In all these ways, we see the providence of God at work in our lives. And in response, we are called to praise Him, to proclaim His name, to sing to Him, to glory in His name, and to proclaim His salvation. This is not just a duty, but a privilege. It's an opportunity to express our gratitude for His providential care, to acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives, and to declare His goodness to the world. It's a chance to join the chorus of praise that resounds throughout the universe, a chorus that declares, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting."

Partaking in Worship through Thanksgiving

As we continue to reflect on the words of 1 Chronicles 16, we are drawn to the act of worship through thanksgiving ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO