Thanksgiving Pt. 1 Psalm 26 Thanksgiving & His Wonderful Works.
Good Morning to each one of you and I hope that this post finds us thinking about the topic of "thanksgiving." This week is when America observes the Thanksgiving holiday and I would like to pause from our study of Nehemiah to share with you thoughts about thanksgiving from God's perspective.
Thanksgiving in America was a celebration of how God carried the Pilgrims and later the Puritans through harsh conditions and supplied for their physical needs. It was a time to step back and reflect upon the goodness of God that was poured out on His people. Thanksgiving is similar to harvest celebrations observed around the world.
We do not have time to bring all the historical details to light but we can look at thanksgiving from God's point of view.
Psalm 26 is a Psalm of David and although the word "thanksgiving" is only used one time, the content of the Psalm is filled with gratitude to Jehovah for His life giving provision.
Psalm 26:1-12 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: And I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, Neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; And will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, And their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: Redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: In the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Thanksgiving because a pure heart will withstand the scrutiny of God
Psalm 26:1-2 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart.
David asks Jehovah to judge him. That is probably not something we would typically think of asking God to do. We are all well aware of our shortcomings and failure to serve Him with our whole heart. Yet, David exudes confidence when making his bold request. Why?
He has walked in his integrity. David is saying that he chose to walk in the ways of God and this is why he has integrity. He is confident in his integrity because he has fully trusted Jehovah. David is relying upon Jehovah to save him, deliver him and keep him safe not only from his enemies but also in terms of God saving his soul.
David has all confidence and trust in the covenant keeping ability of Jehovah and he tells us he will not slide. That is the idea of walking on a treacherous trail that is slick and wet and where one misstep could send you to a nasty fall.
Thanksgiving because the Word of God shows us the heart of God.
Psalm 26:3 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: And I have walked in thy truth.
David tells us that the lovingkindness of Jehovah is on prominent display right before his eyes. Everywhere that the King could see he saw the gracious hand of his God.
The lovingkindness of Jehovah should cause every born again Christian to be filled with thanksgiving to the Lord of Glory. Lovingkindness is a word that encompasses the grace of God that brings salvation to mankind through the Lord Jesus Christ. God has graced us with the provision of salvation. Jesus cried "It is finished" because He satisfied all the requirements of redemption and sinners, enemies of God can now be reconciled to God through Christ.
Lovingkindness includes the mercy of God because the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to each person who is born again into the family of God. When our Father in Heaven looks on us, He no longer sees our sins.
Instead, He sees the righteousness of His Son covering us and He accepts us as His sons and daughters. Mercy is extended to us and His wrath for our sins is removed. Hallelujah and Amen! David goes on to tell us somethings he will not do because of what God has done for him. If we can understand these truths then we can have our whole perspective shifted to heaven.
Thanksgiving because we are cleansed in order to worship, bear witness to Jehovah and serve Him.
Psalm 26:6-8 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth.
David obeyed what Jehovah asked of him in order to have his sins cleansed and he could say that he was innocent because God cleansed him from his sins. David is so moved by this reality that he declares his intent to tell everyone about the wonderful salvation of Jehovah with a voice full of thanksgiving.
The word "thanksgiving" means to offer praises to Jehovah especially with songs of worship. Thanksgiving is a public celebration of the good hand of God evident in our lives. It is intended to be a holy day observed by the people of God around the world.
Because King David is smitten with the goodness that Jehovah extended, he wants to be near the altar of Jehovah and in His temple where His name is sanctified. This is what thanksgiving will look like in our lives when we are overflowing with gratitude for all that God has done, is doing and has promised to do for us.
Thanksgiving in the life of King David led him to have a strong desire to live his life in such a way that Jehovah is blessed. God will bless us when we do those things that He says He will bless. We can bless God by how we choose to live and we can be a blessing to our neighbors, families and friends when we tell them about Jehovah's goodness.
Points to Ponder....
Thanksgiving in America was a celebration of how God carried the Pilgrims and later the Puritans through harsh conditions and supplied for their physical needs. It was a time to step back and reflect upon the goodness of God that was poured out on His people. Thanksgiving is similar to harvest celebrations observed around the world.
We do not have time to bring all the historical details to light but we can look at thanksgiving from God's point of view.
Psalm 26 is a Psalm of David and although the word "thanksgiving" is only used one time, the content of the Psalm is filled with gratitude to Jehovah for His life giving provision.
Psalm 26:1-12 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: And I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, Neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; And will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, And their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: Redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: In the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Thanksgiving because a pure heart will withstand the scrutiny of God
Psalm 26:1-2 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity:I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart.
David asks Jehovah to judge him. That is probably not something we would typically think of asking God to do. We are all well aware of our shortcomings and failure to serve Him with our whole heart. Yet, David exudes confidence when making his bold request. Why?
He has walked in his integrity. David is saying that he chose to walk in the ways of God and this is why he has integrity. He is confident in his integrity because he has fully trusted Jehovah. David is relying upon Jehovah to save him, deliver him and keep him safe not only from his enemies but also in terms of God saving his soul.
David has all confidence and trust in the covenant keeping ability of Jehovah and he tells us he will not slide. That is the idea of walking on a treacherous trail that is slick and wet and where one misstep could send you to a nasty fall.
Thanksgiving because the Word of God shows us the heart of God.
Psalm 26:3 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: And I have walked in thy truth.
David tells us that the lovingkindness of Jehovah is on prominent display right before his eyes. Everywhere that the King could see he saw the gracious hand of his God.
The lovingkindness of Jehovah should cause every born again Christian to be filled with thanksgiving to the Lord of Glory. Lovingkindness is a word that encompasses the grace of God that brings salvation to mankind through the Lord Jesus Christ. God has graced us with the provision of salvation. Jesus cried "It is finished" because He satisfied all the requirements of redemption and sinners, enemies of God can now be reconciled to God through Christ.
Lovingkindness includes the mercy of God because the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to each person who is born again into the family of God. When our Father in Heaven looks on us, He no longer sees our sins.
Instead, He sees the righteousness of His Son covering us and He accepts us as His sons and daughters. Mercy is extended to us and His wrath for our sins is removed. Hallelujah and Amen! David goes on to tell us somethings he will not do because of what God has done for him. If we can understand these truths then we can have our whole perspective shifted to heaven.
Thanksgiving because we are cleansed in order to worship, bear witness to Jehovah and serve Him.
Psalm 26:6-8 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth.
David obeyed what Jehovah asked of him in order to have his sins cleansed and he could say that he was innocent because God cleansed him from his sins. David is so moved by this reality that he declares his intent to tell everyone about the wonderful salvation of Jehovah with a voice full of thanksgiving.
The word "thanksgiving" means to offer praises to Jehovah especially with songs of worship. Thanksgiving is a public celebration of the good hand of God evident in our lives. It is intended to be a holy day observed by the people of God around the world.
Because King David is smitten with the goodness that Jehovah extended, he wants to be near the altar of Jehovah and in His temple where His name is sanctified. This is what thanksgiving will look like in our lives when we are overflowing with gratitude for all that God has done, is doing and has promised to do for us.
Thanksgiving in the life of King David led him to have a strong desire to live his life in such a way that Jehovah is blessed. God will bless us when we do those things that He says He will bless. We can bless God by how we choose to live and we can be a blessing to our neighbors, families and friends when we tell them about Jehovah's goodness.
Points to Ponder....
- Thanksgiving will come when we open our eyes and hearts to the wonderful works of God on our behalf.
- Thanksgiving will come when we make sure our hearts are clean before God by confessing and forsaking our sin.
- Thanksgiving manifests itself when we honor God with our lives.
- Thanksgiving manifests itself when we rejoice in being with our family, church family and friends worshiping together.
We pray that you all have a blessed thanksgiving with our hearts overflowing with gratitude for the goodness of the God we serve. If we just look around a bit we will see ample evidence of ways that God is so good to each one of us. May we learn the joy of true thanksgiving to the One, True God of Heaven and may we share HIs truth with others.
Bob
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