Sermon Date: 11/21/2020 Scripture: Psalm 118:1-8
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 KJV
Right now is a great time to express our gratitude towards God, but it should not be the only time we do so. If we are honest about it, most of us will discover that our prayers are, more often than not, self-centered. It is easy to forget the many blessings God has given us and instead focus on the things we want God to do right now. But giving thanks to our Lord is one of the most important priorities in the life of a believer.
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night." - Psalm 92:1-2
Giving thanks to God honors Him. Giving praise to the one who deserves it most demonstrates our obedience to Him.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:1,4 KJV
Giving thanks to God refocuses our attention. When we rush about, hurried by the world’s constant demands, we sometimes lose perspective. If we begin each day by focusing on past experiences where God has brought us through a valley of difficulties, our attention returns to Him. The Apostle Paul writes, "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." (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV) Here Paul is saying not to give in to worry, but instead, bring to God our requests with thanksgiving.
Giving thanks refreshes our relationship with God. Offering gratitude to the Lord has a wonderful effect on our personal relationship with Him. As we remember the mighty works of God, and recall the miracles He produced, it keeps these memories alive, for with them our faith grows stronger and our confidence is reinforced.
Giving thanks is something you can do anytime, anyplace, and under any circumstance. When you step out of the bed, take a minute and say thank you Lord, I love you Lord. Put a song of praise and gratitude in your heart. It will prepare you to handle difficult situations and give you a sense of contentment, hope, and peace.
Everything in life is not pleasant. The longer we live, the more opportunities we will have to face heartache, the longer we live, we will face regret and disappointment. Having a spirit of thanksgiving does not mean we will never struggle with feelings of disappointment and discouragement. Serious adversity rarely brings a smile to our faces. But learning to look beyond the sorrow to the One who knows and understands our feelings brings an unshakeable assurance that we are not alone and there is a way through the darkness. Trusting God is everything.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10
Learn to be “God focused”. Our God is a God of all comfort. He understands our feelings of frustration and depression. If you allow Him, He will lift you up, demonstrate his faithfulness and bring you through.
When you are overwhelmed, sense His nearness, hear His whispers. He is telling you, “Trust me. I am the one who hung the stars, I am the one who placed the sun and the moon. I am an on-time God.” Victory comes to those who trust and wait. When you’re going through the valley, realize that the greater the hurt, the closer you become to Him. Learn to continue relying on God. He is the center of your life. I know you don’t want to go through the pain, but I know you don’t want that closeness of God to go away. God designed the plan to draw you even closer to himself and that’s a valuable experience.
Be determined to show gratitude. Think about Job. When severe trouble blanketed Job’s life, the Bible says he arose and tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord saying, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:20, 21)
When adversity strikes, remember Job’s situation was real too. When adversity strikes, praise God anyway. Respond with faithfulness instead of fear and anxiety. Praise God for His faithfulness. When life takes a turn that is different than the one you expect, develop an attitude of Thanksgiving.
Be aware that God knows and understands your reactions. He allowed that situation, and he wants you to respond in faithfulness. We are fallen creatures and imperfect; but despite this, God offers the possibility of salvation and favor. Expect God’s favor.
View your circumstances from God’s perspective. Look for a positive change and endure God’s timetable without questioning his intimate care, eternal commitment and unwavering love for you. He is not going to leave you hanging.
It is alright to memorize verses from the Bible. They are easier to memorize than they are to live. Don’t give in, the best is yet to come. In I Thessalonians, Paul said to rejoice always and in Ephesians he said to give thanks always. One of God’s greatest desires is for us to give thanks and rejoice always. In difficulty and pain, in sickness and in health; in uncertainties, give thanks and rejoice always.
Surrender your hurt to Jesus Christ. The turning point is coming; the victory is almost won. You are still standing, still praying, still shouting, still praising. As our hearts are lifted to God, our hands are open with praise and we are ready to receive God’s blessing, ready to receive God’s gifts.
You know you can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ. Get ready. Get ready to tell somebody that a long-time ago you met a man. A man like no other man. He knew your life. He knew your situation. He carried your burden. He let you know that He was divine. He let you know that He was your source. He let you know that He is self-existent; He is eternal in relationship to time.
Have you met this man called the “Christ”?
Praise Him and thank Him.
Elder Clifton C Tate Sr., a native of Jeanerette, LA, is a Vietnam Veteran and a graduate of Southern University (BR). Elder Tate received his theological training from the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges in Lafayette, LA and was ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ in 2006.
Elder Tate holds regular church service at Bethlehem Church of God in Christ in Patterson, LA.
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