Greetings!
Here’s a summary of the Bible study on November 24.
Thanksgiving (Psalm 100)
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up on Thursday (Nov 28), I thought it would be good to study a “psalm of thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is a common theme in the Psalms. At least 33 psalms speak of giving thanks to God. This Sunday we considered Psalm 100.
Shout, Worship, Come (verses 1-2)
Psalm 100 begins, “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (vv. 1-2, NIV). The mood in these verses is joy and gladness!
When many people hear the word “worship,” they think of “worship music.” When the church leader says, “Let us worship,” many think, “It’s time to sing.” In Psalm 100, the group’s worship included singing (v. 2), but it’s more than that. The first word in verse 2 may be translated both “worship” (NIV) and “serve” (ESV). These actions go together.
Many non-believing friends like to sing worship songs, and that’s good! It an enjoyable way for nonbelievers to learn more about the Christian faith, and perhaps become more open and responsive to the song’s message while they are singing. As believers, when we sing worship songs, we should sing from our heart with an attitude of offering ourselves to God.
As Paul wrote, “…I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Know (verse 3)
Verse 3 starts with the word “know.” What are the people to know? “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (v. 3, NIV). Psalm 95 is similar. It says, “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (95:3)… “for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (95:7).
The shepherd/sheep metaphor was commonly used for kingship (e.g., Ezekiel 34; Isaiah 40:10-11). The LORD is the ultimate King and Shepherd, and his people are his sheep. The shepherd metaphor points to the LORD’s care, provision, guidance, and protection; bringing a sense of peace, security, and well being (as expressed in Psalm 23) – a good reason for gladness!
Enter, Give Thanks, Praise (verse 4)
Verse 4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (v. 4, NIV). The image here is the worshiping community entering the gates and courts of the temple with expressions of thanksgiving and praise.
For us today, this applies to our communal worship in the church, including ICF. When Jonathan says, “Okay, it’s time to worship,” then “let us come into [God’s] presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2, ESV)
While the setting of Psalm 100 is communal (involving a group of people), we may also envision this image in our personal worship. I mention this because I’ve often found it helpful to think of Psalm 100 as I “come into God’s presence” in my personal times of thanksgiving and praise.
Why? (verse 5)
Like verse 3, verse 5 presents reason for praise, thanksgiving, and worship. It says, “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (v. 5, NIV). God is perfectly good, and the Source of every good thing (James 1:17). God is love, and the Source of love (1 John 4:7-8). God is perfectly truthful, and faithful to keep his promises.
In his great love, God promised the way of salvation. As John wrote, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, NIV). Through faith in the crucified and risen Son (Jesus Christ), we enter a personal relationship with God, and enjoy the abundant and everlasting blessings of salvation.
Referring to this tremendous gift of God’s grace, Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) When we think about what God has graciously done for us, and what he continues to do for us, how can we not be thankful?
But what about…?
As the good, loving, and faithful God, he should be given thanks for every good thing. But what about times when things are bad? Should we still be thankful to God even in bad times? Paul wrote to believers, “Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).
Before I was a believer, my “thankfulness” was largely dependent on my circumstances. This greatly changed when I received God’s “indescribable gift”! But bad things, which can result in suffering and confusion, affect all of us. Even the believer may ask, “Why would God allow this to happen?” or “Why won’t God remove the cause of suffering after much prayer?”
Such thoughts have affected many, including David (Psalm 13:1-2), Job (Job 30:20-21), and Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). Yet they still trusted in God (Psalm 13:5-6; Job 13:15; 40:4-5; 42:1-6; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10). We may not understand the “whys,” but we need to trust in the One who knows all things. He is always good, loving, and faithful, even in our times of confusion, struggle, or doubt.
The Bible does say that God uses difficult or bad things for good purposes (e.g., Hebrews 12:1-11; Romans 5:1-5; 8:18, 28, 31-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 4:7-18; 1 Peter 1:3-9). Reflect on such verses, share your struggles with a trusted Christian friend, seek God’s help and strength through prayer and faith. Life can be hard and confusing! But God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
And, in bad times, having a thankful heart is good medicine. Throughout history, thankful hearts have helped believers endure very difficult times and circumstances. How can we have more thankful hearts? Here are some suggestions:
Having a Thankful Heart
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Acknowledge (admit to be true, and recognize) God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Source of every good thing (Psalm 95:3-5; James 1:17).
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Acknowledge your constant need for God and his provision.
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Receive God’s greatest gift—his “indescribable gift”—through faith in Jesus Christ. Then you will become one of God’s sheep under the care of the Good Shepherd (John 10:7-11).
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Think about the various gifts you have received from God. Learn to see and appreciate God’s good gifts (including the “small things” we often take for granted) in everyday life. Count your blessings and give thanks to God throughout each day. Make it a lifestyle.
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Spend time in Christian fellowship and worship. “Let us come before him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2). We can encourage one another in thankfulness.
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Think more about the Giver than the gifts. Seek to be God-centered rather than self-centered or world-centered. This will make us more sensitive to God’s values, purposes, provision and activity in everyday life; and shift the basis of our joy and thankfulness from earthly circumstances to our relationship with God.
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In bad circumstances, realize that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, good, loving, and trustworthy. God uses bad circumstances for good purposes (e.g., Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 12:1-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
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Remember that the greatest blessings cannot be taken away from believers. Nothing can take away our relationship with God and our certain hope of complete salvation and well-being (see Romans 8:28-39).
This Thursday (and every day!) let us come before the Lord with thanksgiving in our hearts!
Your Servant,
Jay