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Sermon #2454 — Miscellaneous Sermons

Title:                           Happy Thanksgiving!

Text:                            Psalm 103:1-22

Subject:                     Thanksgiving to God

Reading:       Lindsay Campbell and Mark Henson

Introduction:

In the Old Testament, under the types and shadows of the law, God’s people observed numerous holy days by Divine appointment. These ancient feasts and holy days were all designed by God to be pictures of Christ, the redemption he accomplished, and the grace he bestows. But in this Gospel Age, we observe no sabbath days and no holy days! — Why?

·      God forbids the observance of sabbaths and holy days (Colossians 2:16).

·      Having the substance, we do not need the shadow.

We worship God in the Spirit (Philippians 3:3). To us, every day is a holy day, every day is a sabbath day, a celebration of redemption, a day of worship, because Christ is our Sabbath! In fact, all the religious holy days that have become a part of our calendar are of pagan origin. Christmas and Easter were both carried over from ancient, Babylonian religion by the church of Rome and incorporated into the “Christian church” by papal decree! That is why we do not observe any religious ceremonies connected with those days. We have no more regard for the Christmas and Easter of the papists than we do for the sabbath of the Jews.

Thanksgiving Day

However, there is one national holiday that has its roots in our pilgrim forefathers, which we observe as a nation on the last Thursday of November each year. It is not a religious holy day, but a national holiday. Of course, I am talking about Thanksgiving Day. On Thursday, the entire nation will celebrate a day of thanksgiving to God. I realize that for most people Thursday will be a day of much celebration and very little thanksgiving. That is great pity! Would to God that all men would lift their hearts to him in thanksgiving and praise; but that will not happen. Where there is no faith in Christ, there is no true thanksgiving to God.

However, as you gather with your families around your tables Thursday, I hope you will indeed lift up your hearts with gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving to the Lord our God for all his blessings of grace and providence so freely and bountifully bestowed upon us in Christ. Seek opportunity to lead your family and others in thanksgiving to our God.

1^st Chronicles 16

To that end, I want you to open your Bibles to 1^st Chronicles 16. The title of my message tonight is — Happy Thanksgiving! — I’ll get to my text in a few minutes. But I want to begin my message in 1^st Chronicles 16.

Let’s begin at verse 8 — 1st Chronicles 16:8-36. David brought the ark of the covenant up to Jerusalem, that ark picturing Christ’s accomplished redemption and our reconciliation to God by his precious blood. On the day that he did so, he called for all Israel to worship God with thanksgiving and praise.

“Give thanks unto the LORD” (v. 8). — Thanksgiving is always in season. Every child of Adam living upon this earth ought to lift his heart to God in heaven, giving thanks to him for his great mercy.

“Call upon his name” (v. 8). — The word “call” simply means “worship.” There is no thanksgiving to God until God is worshipped as God.

“Make known his deeds among the people” (v. 8).

• His Works of Creation
• His Works of Providence
• His Works of Grace

“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him” (v. 9). — There is no better way to move our hearts to thanksgiving than by lifting our voices in songs of thanksgiving. — “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). Let our mouths be filled with laughter and our tongues with singing, that the heathen may say, “The LORD hath done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2).

“Talk ye of all his wondrous works” (v. 9). — Our songs should ever be filled with praise to our God for his wondrous works, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). — When we speak of any event, any act, any blessing, any judgment, any promise, any joy, or any sorrow we are speaking of God’s works. We ought ever to be conscious of that fact, and acknowledge it with humble praise.

“Glory ye in his holy name” (v. 10).

(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.”

(1 Corinthians 1:30-31) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

“Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD” (v. 10).

(Philippians 4:4-7) “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Let’s pick up our reading at verse 11.

(1 Chronicles 16:11-33) “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. (12) Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (13) O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (14) He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. (15) Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; (16) Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; (17) And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, (18) Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; (19) When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. (20) And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; (21) He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, (22) Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. (23) Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. (24) Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. (25) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. (26) For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. (27) Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. (28) Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. (29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (30) Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. (31) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. (32) Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. (33) Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.”

Now look at verse 34. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever” (v. 34). — Our God is good. In fact, the very name “God” is an abbreviation of the word “good.” Our God is good in all his character, in all his Being, and in all his works.

(1 Chronicles 16:35-36) “And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. (36) Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

We have great cause to ever give thanks to God. If we trust Christ, in proportion to our faith in our Savior, we are content with him and with his wise and good his providence. And if we are truly content, we are thankful, thankful for all things and in all things (Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6), knowing that “all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 4:18; Romans 11:36). Here, the Spirit of God specifically tells us that everything we experience, whatever we are experiencing at this present time, is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us; and the will of God (whatever it may be) is best.

“In everything give thanks” to God,

And celebrate His praise!

Colossians 1

I repeat, thanksgiving is always in season. Every child of Adam living upon this earth ought to lift his heart to God in heaven, giving thanks to him for his great mercy. Thanksgiving is always in season for all men; but if you and I are partakers of Christ, saved by the grace of God, and heirs of eternal life, our hearts should be filled with thanksgiving to our God continually. We ought to constantly give thanks to him in all things and for all things. — “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). In Colossians 1:12-14 the Holy Spirit gives us several specific reasons for thanksgiving.

(Colossians 1:12-14) “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Paul picks up this same subject again in chapter 3.

Colossians 3

(Colossians 3:15) “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Paul admonishes us to be thankful because thanksgiving is the will of God, because thanksgiving is the secret to living in peace in this world, and because thanksgiving is an act of faith that is most honoring to God. The natural man may express thanksgiving for what he has in his hand; but the believer is thankful for what he has in his heart and what he has in Christ, even if he has nothing in his hand. For all the blessings of grace freely bestowed upon us in Christ we should always be thankful to God.

“Be ye thankful” for God’s electing love. — “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praise unto his name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen (you!) unto himself, and for his peculiar treasure” (Psalm 135:3-4). Election is cause for thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

(1 Thessalonians 5:9) “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Be ye thankful” for your redemption by the precious blood of Christ (Psalm 103:1-4). — “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). Our redemption is to be a matter of great, unceasing thanksgiving because it is special, particular, and distinguishing (Revelation 5:9-10), effectual (Galatians 3:13), plenteous (Psalm 130:7), and eternal (Hebrews 9:12).

“Be ye thankful” for the pardon and forgiveness of your sin (Isaiah 43:25). To be redeemed is to be forgiven. God, through the blood of Christ, freely, completely, constantly, and eternally forgives all the sins of all who trust his dear Son.

“Be ye thankful” for God’s adopting grace. — “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

“Be ye thankful” for the Spirit’s effectual, irresistible, regenerating grace. — “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth” (James 1:18). The new birth is the Spirit’s work. He gives us light, life and faith in Christ.

“Be ye thankful” for the blessed victory that is ours through grace. — “Thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Christ we shall triumph over all our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. If we belong to God, we shall not fail to win this warfare. — Indeed, we are always winning this warfare! We shall persevere because we are preserved by grace. We shall be delivered from this body of death. And our very bodies shall be delivered from the grave. — “Be ye thankful!”

As we gather with our families around our tables Thursday, let us lift up our hearts with gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving to the Lord our God for all his blessings of grace and providence so freely, bountifully, and relentlessly heaped upon us in Christ.

Psalm 103

Let me wrap my message up by reading Psalm 103. Perhaps, as you lead your family in worship, you might want to read this Psalm with them. Let’s look at this blessed, sweet psalm of thanksgiving together. In my opinion, this psalm of thanksgiving and praise is without rival in the literature of the world. This is the language of a man whose soul has been stirred to praise by his contemplation of God’s goodness to him and his people. — This psalm is all praise and thanksgiving. The sweet singer of Israel asks for nothing. He only gives thanks and leads us to give thanks.

Proposition: In these twenty-two verses David teaches us to count our blessings day by day and bless the Lord for all the benefits of his mercy, love, and grace that are ours in Christ Jesus.

Divisions: David tells us that with thankful hearts…

1. We ought to eulogize God’s holy name (v. 1).
2. We should recall the benefits of grace personally experienced (vv. 2-5).
3. We should extol our God for his works of mercy and grace bestowed upon his church collectively (vv. 6-18).
4. We ought to bless God for his glorious sovereignty and his universal providence (v. 19).
5. We ought to show forth God’s praise in our lives as well as with our lips (vv. 20-22).

Eulogize God

1^st — We ought to eulogize God’s holy name. — “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (v. 1). — This is where thanksgiving must begin. God’s name represents who he is, his attributes. Someone said, “Before we can thank God for his blessings, we must thank him for his Being; and this is what the psalmist commands us to do.” — It is the Lord God himself who is to be well-spoken of, eulogized, praised, and blessed. (Ephesians 1:3).

“His holy name” embraces every attribute of God’s person and nature. We are to bless God for who he is — the Lord God Almighty, full of grace and truth (Psalms 113:1-6; 115:1, 3; 117:1, 2; 118:1, 136:1-3; 138:1-2; 139:1-24.)

It is with my soul that I must bless, eulogize, praise and speak well of the Lord my God — “Bless the Lord, O my Soul!” — True thanksgiving and praise is a heart work. David stirs up his soul to bless God. Praise arises not from our lips, not from our brains, but from our souls, our hearts, our inmost beings. — “God is Spirit; and they who worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Recall His Benefits

2^nd — In order to stir up our souls to bless the Lord, we should recall all the benefits of his grace which we have personally experienced (vv. 2-5). One of the evidences of our depravity is our horrible tendency to forget blessings experienced. Whether in times of failure or success, we tend to overlook the blessings our God has lavished upon us. Therefore, the psalmist writes, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Illustration: The Remembrance Room (Isaiah 51:1)

(Isaiah 51:1) “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”

William Law, in his “Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life” writes, “Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice, but he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God willeth, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”

This is what God the Holy Ghost calls the Spirit filled life (Ephesians 5:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

(Ephesians 5:18-20) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) “Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

In verses 3, 4 and 5, David mentions five blessings of grace he had personally experienced. By recalling these benefits he stirs up his soul to bless God.

1.    “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities.”

·      Our God is a God of forgiveness. (Psalm 130:4).

·      God forgives me of all my sins!

·      God’s forgiveness of our sins is a continual, perpetual act of grace through the blood of Christ.

Can you say with David, — “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered! Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:8). If you can, then you have great reason to bless the Lord, “who forgiveth all thine iniquities.” — Past! — Present! — Future! — Sins of Thought! — Sins of Heart! — Sins of Deed!

2.    “Who healeth all thy diseases.”

That person who is blessed of God with good health, or who has been healed of sickness, is truly blessed of God. But this text does not refer to physical health. None of us will be healed of all our physical diseases until we enter into our heavenly inheritance.

David is talking about spiritual health. Those who are forgiven of all sin are also healed in their souls of all their diseases and restored to spiritual life. (1 John 1:9). We are forgiven in the court of heaven and cleansed in our souls by the blood of Christ and the grace of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Matthew Henry wrote, “The corruption of nature is the sickness of the soul; it is its disorder, and threatens death. This is cured in sanctification; when sin is mortified, the disease is healed.”

3.    “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.”

Our redemption by Christ is the cause of our forgiveness and our regeneration. But redemption is not known until healing grace is experienced. Here it is placed after healing because it is experienced in that order.

·      Christ redeemed us at Calvary (Galatians 3:13).

·      He obtained eternal redemption for us when he entered once into the holy place with his own blood (Hebrews 9:12).

·      This redemption is applied to us by the Holy Spirit in the new birth through God’s gift and operation of faith in us (Hebrews 9:14).

·      And the power of redemption is experienced continually in the soul (Psalm 40:1-2; Psalm 130: 1, 8).

(Psalms 40:1-2) “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

(Psalms 130:1-8) “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. (2) Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (3) If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? (4) But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. (5) I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (6) My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. (7) Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. (8) And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

4.    “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercy.”

Christ has made us kings and priests unto God. And he has crowned us as kings with God’s constant favor — Lovingkindness and Tender Mercy! — “Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!” This is the honor God gives to all his saints. This is the crown of glory which we shall wear forever!

5.    “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”

Nothing but the gracious favor of God in Christ can satisfy the soul. Only Christ can satisfy the needs of my soul. Only Christ can satisfy the desires of my soul. Christ who satisfies my soul continually promises to renew my youth like the eagle’s.

This is a promise of long life — Eternal, Heavenly Life! The eagle may live to be more than 100 years old; and the old bird soars gracefully in the heavens where she is at home. Here, we are as babes in the womb. Life for the believer begins at death! When I die — Then I will live!

This is also a promise of constant renewal. As God replenishes the eagle’s feathers, making them new every year at the time of molting, so he recovers his saints from their decays and fills them with new life and joy (Isaiah 40:31; Job 33:24-28).

(Job 33:24-28) “Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (25) His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: (26) He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. (27) He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; (28) He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.”

(Isaiah 40:31) “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Even in old age, grace renews! — Caleb!

“My soul, hast thou sinned? God in Christ pardons thy sins. — Art thou diseased in body and soul, by reason of sin? God in Christ healeth all thy diseases. — Art thou ruined and undone in all the circumstances of nature, by reason of the fall? It is God, in Christ, that redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with all that is needful for thee in grace. — Art thou feeling decays, and is the event of mortality hastening upon thee? God in Christ will renew thee, as the eagle is renewed in old age. — Precious, precious salvation! And all eternally secured and made certain from a God in Christ.” — Robert Hawker

Blessings Upon Others

3^rd — As we recall God’s benefits of grace personally experienced, we ought to extol our God for his works of mercy and grace bestowed upon his church collectively (vv. 6-18).

(Psalms 103:6-18) “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. (7) He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. (8) The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (13) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (14) For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (15) As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. (16) For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. (17) But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; (18) To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

In thanksgiving and praise God’s saints do not act selfishly. We are thankful for what the Lord has done for us personally; but we are thankful for God’s blessings upon one another, upon our brothers and sisters in Christ, too. — “We are bound to give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord!” We are all fed at the same table and share the same blessings.

Illustrations:       The Conversion of Other Sinners

                                                                        The Conversion of Another’s

Child

                                                                                    God’s blessings upon Another

Congregation

“Truly, God is good to Israel!” — In verses 6-18, David tells us of God’s goodness to his whole church. This is cause for thanksgiving!

·      God protects and defends all his people. — “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed” (v. 6).

·      The Lord has revealed himself to us by his servants. — “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel” (v. 7). — The ways of his grace and providence. — The acts (designs) of his purpose.

·      Truly, the Lord our God is a God of mercy, love, and grace. — “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy — He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (vv. 8-12).

He is longsuffering and patient. He is great in mercy and full of pity, remembering that we are but dust! Notice whom he pities — “them that fear him” — Notice how he pities — “As a father pitieth his children.”

·      The ignorant he teaches!

·      The weak he strengthens!

·      The froward he corrects!

·      The sick he comforts!

·      The fallen he helps!

·      The erring he forgives!

·      The wronged he defends!

Notice why he pities — “He knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust!”

Though we are but sinful, withering flesh, God’s covenant mercy endures forever (vv. 15-18).

Illustration: David (2 Samuel 23:5)

Sovereign Providence

4^th — We never lack reasons for praise. — We ought always to bless God for his glorious sovereignty and his universal providence (v. 19).

(Psalms 103:19) “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”

The Lord has prepared, or established, his throne. His throne is the throne of absolute sovereignty. And his throne is the throne of grace — the Mercy-seat! He has prepared his throne in the heavens — Out of Sight and Out of Reach! — “His kingdom ruleth over all” (Daniel 4:35-37)

Thanks-living

5^th — If we would truly bless and praise our God, we must show forth his praise in our lives as well as with our lips (vv. 20-22). Thanksgiving is really thanks-living.

(Psalms 103:20-22) “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. (21) Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (22) Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”

In these verses, David calls upon the angels of God, those heavenly ministers of his throne, to join him in praise to God. He even calls upon all the works of God to join in the holy, blessed work. In doing so, he shows us how to truly bless and praise God, how to truly give thanks to him.

·      Like the angels of God, we must be obedient to his word (v. 20)

·      Like those heavenly ministers, we must yield to and serve his will (v. 21; Romans 12:1-2).

·      Like all his creation, we must serve the purpose of our spiritual creation, doing his works (v. 22).

This is the essence of Thanksgiving. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:8-10).

APPLICATION

Thanksgiving is more than the mouthing of words, or even the saying of prayers. It involves…

• Eulogizing God’s Name.
• Remembering God’s Grace.
• Recognizing of God’s Goodness.
• Acknowledging of God’s Dominion.
• Devotion to God’s Will.

If our thanksgiving is genuine, we will cry with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” and we will go forth to obey his Word, do his will, and perform his work.

Oh, my blessed Redeemer, my glorious God! Truly, you have redeemed our souls from death and healed all our iniquities. You have been, are, and forever shall be our salvation from all sin and woe. “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood!” Your love, your mercy, your pity, your compassion are as infinitely higher than the pity of a father for his children, as the heavens are higher than the earth. Help us, O our gracious God, by the sweet constraining influences of your Spirit, to love you, to praise you, and to live unto and upon you forever! Let everything that has being praise God forever! Children of God, sinners saved by his grace, you who are the redeemed of the Lord, declare his praise with thanksgiving! Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Amen.

And Happy Thanksgiving to You All!

Amen.

Don Fortner

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