How Thankfulness Is Expressed! - Psalm 100
How Thankfulness Is Expressed! - Psalm 100
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 25, 2007 AM
For some people being thankful is kind of like the story told about a 4-year-old daughter and her mother who were strolling through an open-air market. As the little girl stared at a large pile of oranges. A generous vendor took one from the pile and handed it to the little girl. “What do you say to the nice man?” the mother asked her daughter. The little girl looked at the orange, then thrust it toward the man and said, “Peel it!” Often, thankfulness is something we learn and grow into. How easy it is for us to respond to God’s graciousness like that 4-year-old. An attitude of being thankful is a mark of a maturing faith.
This time of year we are reminded to be thankful. What are some of the personal memories you have about Thanksgiving? Are they good ones? Perhaps we need to pause and remember what it means to truly be thankful. The Psalmist gives us a beautiful song of thanksgiving directed towards God that teaches us an example of how thankfulness is expressed.
READ: Psalm 100
I remember waking up early on Thanksgiving Day and finding that my mother had been up for hours. She would be busy heating the oven, preparing the turkey, making pies, and fussing over this and that. Dad would try to steal some tidbit of food and get his hands slapped. Ed and I would run around like the wild pagans we were. And, Laili would listen to her rock music until she was called several times to dinner. These are a few memories I have of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist teaches us that…
I. Thankfulness Is Expressed Through A Relationship With God!
1. The Psalmist recognized who God was: “It is He who made us.” David understood that “You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be..” (Psalm 139:13-16) God made us!
2. The Psalmist further recognized his relationship to God: “we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” When he understood that God made us, the Psalmist realizes that this means we have a special relationship with Him. Jesus related, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Isaiah understood that God “tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11) What a beautiful picture of the relationship we enjoy with our Creator!
3. The Psalmist understood that thanksgiving also comes from knowing “that the LORD is God.” John would declare: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Thankfulness is expressed through a relationship with God!
EXAMPLE: Someone once said that “It’s not what’s in your pocket that makes you thankful but what’s in your heart.” Growing up, my family never had much. So it was with great anticipation when we celebrated Thanksgiving. Often, there would be very lean times but when Thanksgiving rolled around, there was always found plenty of food on the table! I never worried about it much growing up, I just knew everything would be okay. That’s what a relationship of trust does! Like the Psalmist, you are thankful because of your personal relationship with God!
Knowing about God is one thing, but knowing God is quite another truth entirely. Jesus said that you would know those who knew Him personally. (John 13:35 & 14:15) The “love” that we show the world is in how we live for God. Thankful actions come from the love that overflows in us from God Himself through Jesus Christ. The Psalmist would agree and tell us that…
II. Thankfulness Is Expressed Through Our Praise!
1. The Psalmist was willing to demonstrate his thanksgiving vocally! He asked that the whole world “shout for joy!” Psalm 32:11 tells us to “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Over and over we are exhorted to “shout for joy” to the Lord in the Psalms. The word “towdah” in the Hebrew was usually used in reference to a choir singing loudly. It is kind of like when we would shout: “Ta-dah!” It is the recognition of God being in our midst!
2. The Psalmist asked his readers to “Enter [God’s] gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Notice that this is a conscious choice on the part of the worshipper. They are being asked to “enter” with the perspective of “thanksgiving and praise” on their lips. It is so easy in our day and age to enter into worship with an improper attitude. Many want something from God, the worship leader, or the pastor’s message. Worship can only begin when God is recognized as the focus of our being there – and not ourselves and our needs or desires. God is worthy of our thanksgiving!
3. The Psalmist also asked that all people would “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Again, this is reflective of where our heart is and it calls for personal active participation. When God truly fills His people, it is with joy and gladness. Yes, there are times when we are called to worship Him in repentance and sorrow – but when it is a time of thanksgiving – it is always to be done with joy and gladness! Paul would say, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Why? Because “The Lord is near.” (v. 5) God draws near our thankful praise. Thankfulness is expressed through our praise!
EXAMPLE: Our Thanksgivings were full of laughter, talk, and fun. Of course there was lots of food! I grew up in a very demonstrative family. We hugged, we cried, we sang loudly. We enjoyed each other’s company. Do you know what I believe? I believe there will be a few surprised people in heaven when the rejoicing begins. Too often our worship reflects a funeral dearth rather than a wedding feast! Our actions reflect who we love. Our worship should be full of “shouts of joy,” “praise,” and “joyful songs” of thanksgiving to God our Father! Our actions speak about who we love. Thankfulness is expressed through our praise!
I honestly remember the first time I had to write a letter to Denise. It was one of the toughest yet satisfying things I ever have had the privilege to do. Here’s why – I was able to tell her just how much I cared for her. The Psalmist also teaches us that --
III. Thankfulness Is Expresses Through Our Recognition of God!
1. The Psalmist knew that God was “good.” God is good because He always seeks the best for His people. He is good because He is always holy. It is not a question of magnitude where we might ask, “Have you been good today?” Rather it is a statement of fact. God is good. That’s who He is.
2. The Psalmist knew that God’s “love endures forever.” More than being good, God also is love. And that love endures or lasts forever. Unlike our love that is quite often fickle, His remains the same and constant. The Psalmist knew that God’s “faithfulness continues through all generations.”
3. The Psalmist knew that God’s truth endures! The KJV states: “the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” God’s truth is sure. In fact Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) How marvelous to know that everything else is passing away, but God’s truth remains the same! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
EXAMPLE: Did you ever pause and ask yourself, “What do I have to be thankful for?” In our day and age when you may have a tough time finding anything to be thankful for, you can always remember God’s character and be thankful for it. We all can get so caught up in the storms of life we forget the words: “Fear not, it is I.” We can get so concerned for the worries of unpaid bills we forget the words: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” We can be so overcome by the sadness of the moment we forget to “Cast all (our) anxiety on Him because He cares for (us)!” As we remember God and what He has done for us, we can be thankful! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
Conclusion:
A Slice of Life, by Edgar A. Guest
Dear Lord, accept our humble prayer
Of thanks for all thy watchful care;
For yield of field and vine and tree
Our hearts give gratitude to Thee;
Now lies the frost upon the vine,
We see another year decline;
But through the pain and strife and woe,
Thy blessings manifestly show.
Dear Lord, for laughter and for song
Which have been ours, for righted wrong,
For steps of progress we have made,
For all the works of art and trade,
For science which has conquered pain
And given hope where hope seemed vain;
For all that helps mankind to live,
This day to Thee our thanks we give.
Dear Lord, despite its pain and strife
We thank Thee for our richer life;
This is a better world for man
Than when this closing year began;
We who have suffered still can find
Proof of Thy love and mercy kind;
In all our works thy hand we see
And bow in gratitude to Thee.
The Psalmist knew how thankfulness is expressed: Thankfulness is expressed through a relationship with God! Thankfulness is expressed through our praise! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 25, 2007 AM
For some people being thankful is kind of like the story told about a 4-year-old daughter and her mother who were strolling through an open-air market. As the little girl stared at a large pile of oranges. A generous vendor took one from the pile and handed it to the little girl. “What do you say to the nice man?” the mother asked her daughter. The little girl looked at the orange, then thrust it toward the man and said, “Peel it!” Often, thankfulness is something we learn and grow into. How easy it is for us to respond to God’s graciousness like that 4-year-old. An attitude of being thankful is a mark of a maturing faith.
This time of year we are reminded to be thankful. What are some of the personal memories you have about Thanksgiving? Are they good ones? Perhaps we need to pause and remember what it means to truly be thankful. The Psalmist gives us a beautiful song of thanksgiving directed towards God that teaches us an example of how thankfulness is expressed.
READ: Psalm 100
I remember waking up early on Thanksgiving Day and finding that my mother had been up for hours. She would be busy heating the oven, preparing the turkey, making pies, and fussing over this and that. Dad would try to steal some tidbit of food and get his hands slapped. Ed and I would run around like the wild pagans we were. And, Laili would listen to her rock music until she was called several times to dinner. These are a few memories I have of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist teaches us that…
I. Thankfulness Is Expressed Through A Relationship With God!
1. The Psalmist recognized who God was: “It is He who made us.” David understood that “You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be..” (Psalm 139:13-16) God made us!
2. The Psalmist further recognized his relationship to God: “we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” When he understood that God made us, the Psalmist realizes that this means we have a special relationship with Him. Jesus related, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Isaiah understood that God “tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11) What a beautiful picture of the relationship we enjoy with our Creator!
3. The Psalmist understood that thanksgiving also comes from knowing “that the LORD is God.” John would declare: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Thankfulness is expressed through a relationship with God!
EXAMPLE: Someone once said that “It’s not what’s in your pocket that makes you thankful but what’s in your heart.” Growing up, my family never had much. So it was with great anticipation when we celebrated Thanksgiving. Often, there would be very lean times but when Thanksgiving rolled around, there was always found plenty of food on the table! I never worried about it much growing up, I just knew everything would be okay. That’s what a relationship of trust does! Like the Psalmist, you are thankful because of your personal relationship with God!
Knowing about God is one thing, but knowing God is quite another truth entirely. Jesus said that you would know those who knew Him personally. (John 13:35 & 14:15) The “love” that we show the world is in how we live for God. Thankful actions come from the love that overflows in us from God Himself through Jesus Christ. The Psalmist would agree and tell us that…
II. Thankfulness Is Expressed Through Our Praise!
1. The Psalmist was willing to demonstrate his thanksgiving vocally! He asked that the whole world “shout for joy!” Psalm 32:11 tells us to “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Over and over we are exhorted to “shout for joy” to the Lord in the Psalms. The word “towdah” in the Hebrew was usually used in reference to a choir singing loudly. It is kind of like when we would shout: “Ta-dah!” It is the recognition of God being in our midst!
2. The Psalmist asked his readers to “Enter [God’s] gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Notice that this is a conscious choice on the part of the worshipper. They are being asked to “enter” with the perspective of “thanksgiving and praise” on their lips. It is so easy in our day and age to enter into worship with an improper attitude. Many want something from God, the worship leader, or the pastor’s message. Worship can only begin when God is recognized as the focus of our being there – and not ourselves and our needs or desires. God is worthy of our thanksgiving!
3. The Psalmist also asked that all people would “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Again, this is reflective of where our heart is and it calls for personal active participation. When God truly fills His people, it is with joy and gladness. Yes, there are times when we are called to worship Him in repentance and sorrow – but when it is a time of thanksgiving – it is always to be done with joy and gladness! Paul would say, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Why? Because “The Lord is near.” (v. 5) God draws near our thankful praise. Thankfulness is expressed through our praise!
EXAMPLE: Our Thanksgivings were full of laughter, talk, and fun. Of course there was lots of food! I grew up in a very demonstrative family. We hugged, we cried, we sang loudly. We enjoyed each other’s company. Do you know what I believe? I believe there will be a few surprised people in heaven when the rejoicing begins. Too often our worship reflects a funeral dearth rather than a wedding feast! Our actions reflect who we love. Our worship should be full of “shouts of joy,” “praise,” and “joyful songs” of thanksgiving to God our Father! Our actions speak about who we love. Thankfulness is expressed through our praise!
I honestly remember the first time I had to write a letter to Denise. It was one of the toughest yet satisfying things I ever have had the privilege to do. Here’s why – I was able to tell her just how much I cared for her. The Psalmist also teaches us that --
III. Thankfulness Is Expresses Through Our Recognition of God!
1. The Psalmist knew that God was “good.” God is good because He always seeks the best for His people. He is good because He is always holy. It is not a question of magnitude where we might ask, “Have you been good today?” Rather it is a statement of fact. God is good. That’s who He is.
2. The Psalmist knew that God’s “love endures forever.” More than being good, God also is love. And that love endures or lasts forever. Unlike our love that is quite often fickle, His remains the same and constant. The Psalmist knew that God’s “faithfulness continues through all generations.”
3. The Psalmist knew that God’s truth endures! The KJV states: “the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” God’s truth is sure. In fact Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) How marvelous to know that everything else is passing away, but God’s truth remains the same! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
EXAMPLE: Did you ever pause and ask yourself, “What do I have to be thankful for?” In our day and age when you may have a tough time finding anything to be thankful for, you can always remember God’s character and be thankful for it. We all can get so caught up in the storms of life we forget the words: “Fear not, it is I.” We can get so concerned for the worries of unpaid bills we forget the words: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” We can be so overcome by the sadness of the moment we forget to “Cast all (our) anxiety on Him because He cares for (us)!” As we remember God and what He has done for us, we can be thankful! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
Conclusion:
A Slice of Life, by Edgar A. Guest
Dear Lord, accept our humble prayer
Of thanks for all thy watchful care;
For yield of field and vine and tree
Our hearts give gratitude to Thee;
Now lies the frost upon the vine,
We see another year decline;
But through the pain and strife and woe,
Thy blessings manifestly show.
Dear Lord, for laughter and for song
Which have been ours, for righted wrong,
For steps of progress we have made,
For all the works of art and trade,
For science which has conquered pain
And given hope where hope seemed vain;
For all that helps mankind to live,
This day to Thee our thanks we give.
Dear Lord, despite its pain and strife
We thank Thee for our richer life;
This is a better world for man
Than when this closing year began;
We who have suffered still can find
Proof of Thy love and mercy kind;
In all our works thy hand we see
And bow in gratitude to Thee.
The Psalmist knew how thankfulness is expressed: Thankfulness is expressed through a relationship with God! Thankfulness is expressed through our praise! Thankfulness is expressed through our recognition of God!
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