Title: Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving (Psalm 124:1-8)
Contents
Title Thanks again / Scripture Psalm 124:1-8 / Space Daebok Church
*** Introduction
The human eye can see and distinguish all things, including color, size and shape. That's why people value their eyes very much and trust what they see. However, not many people realize that many of the things we use use optical illusions. Television, movies, magic, computer monitors and so on.
Nevertheless, people rely on their senses and thoughts, including their eyes. Once they are invisible, they acknowledge that they do not exist and act that way.
A child was walking down the street and found electrical tools, wires, and wires left on the side of the road. The child said, “What rice cake?” Thinking about it, I looked around and saw that there was no one there, so I quickly grabbed it. Then, as I took a few quick steps, I heard a voice saying, “Leave him there.” The child looked around thinking, “Who are you?” but there was no one there. As I was about to go back, I heard another noise. I looked up as I thought the sound was coming from above. Alas, isn't the electrician looking at him from the top of the power pole?!
Among many Christians, this phenomenon is often found. Although we cannot see it, there are times when we forget that we are serving a God who is with us and watches over us.
In this sense, the hallmark of David's faith is his trust that his life is under the supervision of God. David's faith made him always depend on God. David's psalms permeate the beauty of such trust.
1. First, let's look at the background of the Word.
In the text, David urges the people to confess that their escape from crisis is entirely in the providence and walk of God. Not only that, we are asking you to thank and praise this great grace.
In verses 2-3 of the main text,
“If the Lord had not been on our side, then their wrath would have been fierce against us and devoured us alive.”
confess that. This is a confession of the situation in which Israel was saved by God's grace in a place where they had no choice but to die as they were in a very difficult situation.
Although it did not reveal what kind of crisis it was in detail, it can be seen that it was after the victory of the great war. David describes the crisis as completely trapped in a snare. I confess that I was able to get out of the snare because of God's help in that urgent situation.
2. Knowing God is the beginning of gratitude.
As David thinks about what they have been through, he encourages the Israelites to deepen their awareness of God's help. Because those who realize the grace of God can praise and give thanks to God. Also, those who know and appreciate God's help receive God's grace. Look at Proverbs 8:17-18.
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me earnestly find me. Riches and riches are with me, and so are my wealth and my intentions.”
That's right. The saints worship God, serve, serve, and give alms. Knowing God is the most important thing in all things.
What does it mean to know God?
It is God's interest and will shown through the Bible.
For example, if believers want to worship God, they must know God's will for worship and God's interest in worshipers.
God’s will for worship is ‘to glorify God’ and ‘to seek God’s righteousness’. Look at the next verse.
Isaiah 24:15, “Therefore you will glorify the LORD in the east, and in all the islands of the sea you will glorify the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” Romans 1:21, “Knowing God, but not glorifying him as God. I'm not even thankful... ”
God’s interest in worshipers is ‘doing things in spirit and truth’, and ‘reconciliation and forgiveness are prerequisites’. Look at the next verse.
- John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” / Matthew 5:23,24, “Therefore, when offering your gift on the altar, there must be something against your brother If you remember to give your gift, leave your gift before the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” If you do not forgive a man's trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
How is knowing God the beginning of gratitude?
First, because I know God's mercy and love for me.
Second, when a believer knows God and does His will, God's grace will surely follow Him.
Find out in the Bible what God promises to do when he commands it.
In the text, David asks all the people to give thanks and praise to God because he knows the love God has for Israel. So, after David was saved from a severe crisis, he remembers that it is the grace of God, and is thankful and praising.
3. Continuous gratitude guarantees God's presence.
Let's sing Hymn 460:1.
“What you have been through is your great grace. How can I express the boundless love of the Lord? Whether you are sleeping or awake, your hand is always watching over you, and all things prosper in you.”
It is important to know God's love for what you have been through, but it is even more important to know God who is with you now and is with you forever. This fact is another expression of faith that we trust in God because he has already promised. In John 14:16, it is said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” To my children, I love you very much, and not only me but also all who know the truth, because of the truth, which abides in us and will be with us forever.”
So David confesses in verse 8, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” This is to declare that the present help and the future are with God who is with you.
In this way, God's walk together for eternity is guaranteed through the continuous gratitude of the saints. The phrase “thank God” includes many things. Forgiveness of my sins and adopting children, answering prayers, pleasing God, contentment, trusting in God, glorifying God, etc. It is an expression that connotes all of the faith of the saints.
- Psalm 50:23, “He who offers sacrifices of thanksgiving glorifies me, and to those who do their works right, I will show the salvation of God.” / Ephesians 5:20, “In everything the name of our Lord Jesus Christ always give thanks to God the Father” / Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isn't it called 'Licorice of Pharmacy'? The licorice of faith in God is 'thank you'.
It was one summer day. Two passers-by were walking down a path without a shade of a tree to rest for a while. The two of them were sweating profusely, walking at a pace as if they were about to collapse in the heat, when they found a large tree with thick branches. The two ran into the shade of the tree as if they had met the Savior. The two of them started talking as their chests that seemed to be suffocating opened and the sweat on their foreheads cooled.
“Honey, most of the trees are useful somewhere, but this alder here is of no use. It is true, but it is not, but it is also a criticism.” Then one man chimed in and said,
“Come to think of it, it’s a really useless tree.” The two passers-by were able to escape from the heat that almost seemed to collapse because of this alder, but they forgot the grace.
People are not used to being “thankful” and they are also stingy. How much easier is it to give thanks to the invisible God? In addition, if you feel that there is nothing to be grateful for, but rather only suffering and persecution, resentment, not gratitude, will burst forth.
If it's too simplistic, would you have said the old saying, 'Enemies are engraved on stones and grace on water'.
Today we are keeping it as 'Thanksgiving Day'. We haven't harvested any barley, but we've spent a year and a half by God's grace. Do you truly thank God?
It saddens me to see that many churches view their feasts as a means of replenishing their finances. Even if you have nothing to give, your heart should be full of gratitude. Man judges by external factors such as offerings, words, and expressions, but God examines the thoughts of the heart. If we truly appreciate God's grace, we will gladly accept all of us.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12, “If you have a willing heart, you will receive whatever you have, and not accept what you do not have.” Ephesians 6:6, “Do not be like those who please men with blindfolds, but like the servants of Christ in your heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “But as it was approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we do not say these things to please men, but to please God who searches our hearts. .”
While we are living in the world, we are exposed to various environments. Sometimes, like David, we encounter tasks that are difficult to handle. But God helps us overcome all the hopeless situations we find ourselves in. If we believe in the God who is with us, rely on us, and appreciate it with thanksgiving.
On this Thanksgiving Day, let's reflect on how much we listen to God's will and interest. Gratitude is the ability to change our lives. God will add beautiful and joyous things to His children who know how to be grateful for the little things and painful things.
I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may be filled with thanksgiving to God in everything you do.