Title: Give Thanks to Jehovah
Content Title: Give thanks to the Lord
Bible: Psalm 118:1-13
Today in our church, we are keeping it as the Thanksgiving Day. Today's verse 1 we say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever." Focusing on today's text, with the title of "Give thanks to the Lord", we would like to share our grace by thinking about how we should all observe the Thanksgiving Day.
First, we must thank Jehovah.
Gratitude is the most precious word for us. But how often do we sometimes forget these precious words? For us, the psalmist commands us in verse 1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his lovingkindness endures forever.” This is teaching us that we should give thanks to Jehovah God. The text tells us that we should be thankful because God is such a person. So who is God?
1) Goodness is eternal. The word "good" here is the original Hebrew word for "tob", which means "good". Then God is not a bad God, but a good God.
2) His mercy is eternal. The second reason we should give thanks to God is that His mercy endures forever. Here, “kindness” means mercy and compassion. God is perfect, but when he sees us sinners, he does not look from God's side, but always sees us from our sinful side.
3) Who should be thankful? If we read verses 2 to 4 of the text, we are talking about those who should give thanks to Jehovah God. The first is the people of Israel. The second is the house of Aaron. The house of Aaron means those who have the privilege of serving God and praising God. Third, those who fear the Lord. This is a more comprehensive concept than Aaron's house, and the Gentiles mean it.
Second, the Lord is my helper.
The text tells the reason why those who believe in and depend on God, and who are clothed with God's goodness and mercy, should give thanks to God. Because it is Jehovah who helps me. When we think about the past, we can think of God's help.
1) The Lord answered my cry. Verse 5 says, “I cried out to the LORD in my agony, and the LORD answered me and set me up in a great place.” Here it is said, "I cried out in pain". We should thank God for hearing our prayers.
2) I have to thank the Lord for making me fearless. In verse 6 of the text, "The Lord is on my side, and I have no fear. What can a man do to me?" This speaks of the Lord who was with me in the present.
Third, we should give thanks for the power of the name of the Lord.
When we thank Jehovah God for being with us, we need to know that God is our future guarantor. Therefore, trusting in God first
It's better than relying on it. Verse 8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in men.”
2) Surrounded and surrounded, He makes us victorious. Verse 10 says, "The nations have surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I will cut them off."
3) If we go out in the name of Jesus Christ, God gives us power. What powers do you give? The first is to destroy it. Verse 12 says, "They surrounded me like bees, but they were consumed like fire from thorns; in the name of the LORD I will cut them off." Heavenly Father, who has given the authority in the name of Jesus, helps us. In verse 13 of the main text, it says, "You pushed me and tried to overthrow me, so the Lord helped me." Amen.