Give Thanks Psa.
116:1-16 Nov. 15, 2009
Introduction
For what can a Christian give thanks? Let me suggest you start off a day thinking about all the things for which you can Give Thanks.
1. Give Thanks For The . . Privilege Of Prayer. 116:1-4
A. Give Thanks For The Mercy . . Coming From The Privilege Of Prayer. 116:1
1 I love the LORD because He has heard my appeal for mercy.
B. Give Thanks For The . . Many Requests Made Through The Privilege Of Prayer. 116:2
2 Because He has turned His ear to me, I will call
out to Him as long as I live.
C. Give Thanks For The . . Magnificent Changes From The Privilege Of Prayer. 116:3-4
3 The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and
the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered
trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of
the LORD: "LORD, save me!"
Application
The privilege of prayer includes God granting mercy, the many requests answered throughout life, and the magnificent changes from salvation through the times of trouble and sorrow. The Psalmist expressed his love for the Lord because He heard his cry for mercy. Through “mercy” God does not give us what we deserve. Through “grace” He does give us what we do not deserve.
That represents a significant difference, and we need both mercy, and grace. For the child of God prayer makes a great difference in every major event. Magnificent changes throughout the life of God’s children make our lives different. Prayer guides through trouble, sorrow, and times of great blessing.
2. Give Thanks For The . . Protection Of The Lord. 116:5-8
A. Give Thanks That The . . Graciousness Of God Protects His Children. 116:5
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
B. Give Thanks That The . . Guarding Of God Protects His Children. 116:6
6 The LORD guards the inexperienced; I was helpless, and He saved me.
C. Give Thanks That The . . Goodness Of God Protects His Children. 116:7-8
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.8 For You, LORD, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
Illustration
"A party of pioneers on the Oregon Trail had suffered for weeks from a scarcity of water and grass for their animals. Most of the wagons had broken down, causing endless delays in the stifling heat. A feeling of fretfulness and futility prevailed. Optimism and cheer were gone. Courage was in limited supply.
One night the leaders called a meeting to air complaints. When they had gathered around the campfire, one man stood up and said, "Before we commence our grief session, don't you think we should at least first thank God that he has brought us this far with no loss of life, with no serious trouble from the Indians, and that we have enough strength left to finish our journey?"
The other settlers agreed. After the brief prayer, all that could be heard was the cries of a distant pack of wolves. There was otherwise stone silence around the campfire, because no one had any grievances they felt were important enough to voice.
They suddenly realized if they couldn't be satisfied with what they'd received, they could at least be thankful for what they'd escaped. Thankfulness enabled them to see the mercies of God they had been overlooking. —Gregory L. Jantz in Becoming Strong Again
Application
Why would the Lord protect us? Sometimes I think we must confess, “only because He is gracious and compassionate.” He sets His guard where we can benefit, therefore we really must be pronounced blessed. We need to give thanks for the Lord’s goodness. The Psalmist declared in the goodness of God He rescued him from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from stumbling.
Most of us could proclaim the Lord did two out of three of those actions if not all three.
3. Give Thanks For The . . Provisions Of The Lord. 116:9-12
A. Give Thanks For The . . Walk With God In His Provisions. 116:9-11
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10 I believed, even when I said,"I am severely afflicted."11 In my alarm I said,"Everyone is a liar."
B. Give Thanks For The . . Wonders Of God In His Provisions. 116:12
12 How can I repay the LORD all the good He has done for me?
Illustration
Many years ago, I went to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. "Daddy" King said his mother, Delia, had told him to always thank God for what she called the "leavings." If you've got enough breath left to complain, you have something left.
Some years later I went back to Atlanta to Ebenezer Church, and by this time Dr. King had lost A. D. and Martin Luther, his two sons, and his beloved wife had been shot to death right before his eyes at the organ in that very sanctuary. Guess what the old man was saying? "Thank God for what's left." He was still saying that life always has enough left to make it worth living. One person says the glass is half empty, but another sees it as half full and praises God. Those who complain to God about what they don't have are forgetting that their very breath is a gift from God. After tragedy there is always something—life, air or, as a soul prayer says, "a reasonable portion of health and strength" left to praise God for.
Our provident God always leaves something on which to keep going. —Henry H. Mitchell in Soul Theology
Application
All of us can surely give thanks for God’s provisions as we walk with Him throughout our lives. Many of us, like the Psalmist in his alarm, make some exaggerated pronouncements. Obviously everyone is not a liar but we can all in haste make such statements and the Lord leads us to grow in Him beyond such remarks. In a wiser moment the Psalmist thanks God for the wonders the Lord provided for him. There is no way we can repay God for His wonderful works in our lives.
4. Give Thanks Through . . Praising The Lord. 116:13-19
A. Give Thanks Praising God For His . . Salvation. 116:13-14
13 I will take the cup of salvation and worship the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
B. Give Thanks Praising God For His . . Saints. 116:15
15 The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the LORD's sight.
C. Give Thanks Praising God For His . . Servants. 116:16
16 LORD, I am indeed Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your female servant. You have loosened my bonds.
D. Give Thanks Praising God With . . Sacrifices. 116:17-19
17 I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and will
worship the LORD.18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD, in the very presence of all His people,19 in the courts of the LORD's house — within you, Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
Application
As we give thanks unto the Lord our salvation must head the list. The psalmist indicated a desire to fulfill his vows of praise unto the Lord. It is a beautiful thought that the death of the saints is valuable unto the Lord. Through the years, as a pastor, I watched many faithful servants use their talents and gifts in the Lord’s work. As we give thanks through praise to the Lord we note the many sacrifices that have been made by a multitude of the Lord’s servants. Do you remember the statement of David when he was offered free animals to make his sacrifice?
He said, “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Sa 24:24) The Lord is worthy of the sacrifice any of us could make and for this we can Give Thanks. Amen? Amen!