It Is Good To Give Thanks
November 24, 2019 Speaker: Joe Lamay
Topic: Thanksgiving Passage: Psalm 92
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Sermon Summary
We are to always give thanks, and yet we know that there are all kinds of things that make it difficult to have a praise-filled, thankful heart. Many of us have likely not experienced a more discouraging and depressing situation than Paul and Silas' imprisonment in Acts 16:23-25. Paul and Silas knew Psalm 92 and they knew it well. The Psalmist tells us that “it is good to give thanks to the LORD” (Ps. 92:1). This Psalm gives three main reasons to give thanks. First, it is good to give thanks to the Lord because of who He is and what He has done for us. Secondly, it is good to give thanks to the Lord because the world will eventually be judged. Third, it is good to give thanks to the Lord because He causes His people to flourish.
1. It is good to give thanks to the Lord because of who He is and what He has done for us.
(Ps. 92:1-5) It is good to give thanks to the LORD because He is Yahweh. “LORD” translates Yahweh, which is the personal name of God which He revealed to Moses and Israel. The Psalmist also calls Him the “Most High”. There is none higher; He is ultimate, and He is sovereign (Cf. Ps. 97:9). A question to ask ourselves during this Thanksgiving week: is the Lord my Most High? This is a subjective question, but whether we recognize it or not, God is Most High. And thus, He should be thanked, adored, and praised. Any person who does not give Him thanks is guilty of horrible ingratitude. And that was every single one of us (Cf. Rom. 1:19-21). Arrogant, prideful persons do not give thanks to God. But we who are believers in Jesus never lack reasons to thank God, (unless we are so darkened in our ability to perceive reality, which we are at times). These are simple gospel truths (Cf. Eph. 1:3-6). Are these gospel truths not enough for us to always be thankful? If we think about the Lord’s faithful love toward us with a Biblical, gospel-centered worldview, we will have a lot of reasons to thank Him.
Psalm 92 is a Psalm for the Lord’s day. What’s the reason for this heartfelt, corporate expression of thanksgiving? God’s works and His thoughts (Ps. 92:4-5). All of God’s works point to His thoughts, and He has revealed His thoughts in Scripture. Another question to consider this Thanksgiving week: have you had your eyes opened to see God’s thoughts in such a way that it causes you to praise Him? If you have, that’s a reason to thank Him.
2. It is good to give thanks to the Lord because the world will eventually be judged.
(Ps. 92:6-9) In the middle of this Psalm of praise and thanksgiving, the writer refers to the godless, who flourish in this life for a time. Believers are not to think short-sightedly about this present world. The wicked only sprout like grass for a short time, but then they are doomed to destruction forever. In Christ, we are not spiritually stupid like those in verse 6 (Ps. 92:6) anymore.
3. It is good to give thanks to the Lord because He causes His people to flourish.
(Ps. 92:10-15) Does the Father, by the Holy Spirit ever refresh your spirit or renew your strength in Christ? If the answer is yes, you should sing songs of thanksgiving to Him. Though we are guaranteed a spiritual battlefield in this world, Christ has secured our ultimate victory (Rom. 8:35).
Are you a part of the house of the Lord (Ps. 92:13)? Is he really no longer your enemy? Have you been flourishing as a Christian? You should be amazed at His mercy and grace upon you. Do you know why God created you and redeemed you? It was to declare that the Lord is upright and there is no unrighteousness in Him (Ps. 92:15). Yes, there is the problem of evil, and wicked seemingly prospers all around. But the redeemed declare in the midst of it that the Lord is upright. In the end, all will be set perfectly right, in perfect holiness and justice (Cf. 2 Thess. 1:6-10, 1 Thess. 4:16-17).