Title: Offering God Thanks
Bible Book: Psalms 116 : 17
Author: William R. Shively
Subject: Thanksgiving; Gratitude; Appreciation; Praise
Objective:
Introduction
We have nothing to offer God but our thanks. Everything we call our own is His. Our salvation is just a gift from our Lord. We receive all our blessings from His hands. Even in times of trials we are to offer thanks to God. From the belly of the great fish Jonah cried: “I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving.” Let us be a people who faithfully give our God thanksgiving and praise.
A 12 year old boy named David was born without an immune system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact. When asked what he'd like to do if and when released from his protective bubble, he replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass, and touch my mother's hand."
I. PRINCIPALS IN GIVING THANKS
A. WORD OF GOD COMMANDS IT.
“Oh, give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.” (Ps. 136:1) Four times in this Psalms we are told to give thanks to God.
B. WILL OF GOD COMMANDS IT.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:18)
II. PARTICULARS IN GIVING THANKS
A. FOCUS ON GOD.
The giving of thanks keeps our focus on God. It reminds us of the greatness and goodness of our Heavenly Father.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Ps. 103:1-2)
B. FAITH IN GOD.
Our faith must be in God. The giving of thanks increases our faith in the Lord. As we count our blessings, our faith will grow in Him. The giving of thanks reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us in the past. We can give thanks knowing His faithfulness to us in the future.
Daniel’s faith was strength when he faced death at the hand king Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord revealed the king’s dream to Daniel. He said: “I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee; for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.” (Dan. 2:23)
C. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.
We have to have clean hearts to stay in fellowship with God. When we “walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
When we are in fellowship with God we can: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, bless His name.”
(Ps. 100:4)
III. PRACTICE OF GIVING THANKS
A. PRIVATELY.
We are to practice the giving of thanks in our private devotional times with the Lord. Our prayers are to include thanksgiving.
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” (Ps. 116:17)
B. PUBLICLY.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise thee among many people. (Ps. 35:18)
Oh, give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. (Ps. 105:1
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Gratitude should be a natural response to God’s blessings He bestows upon us.
2. Our spiritual growth can be measured by our giving of thanks to God.
3. The giving of thanks will enlarge our vision of the goodness and greatness of God.
4. As the children of God, we are to give thanks every day.
