Blessed Be The Name Sermon Vi: Our Father's Love Endures Forever Series

THANKS BE TO THE LORD GOD OUR FATHER WHOSE CONSTANT LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

“A dear Christian lady who resided in assisted living expressed it this way:

‘I get my Bible and read until I can’t read anymore. Then I open my hymnal and I sing until I can’t sing anymore. Then I pray until I can’t pray anymore. Then I just sit in this chair and let God love me.’”

Perhaps you, like I, have known mature Christians who, like the lady in our illustration, had a plan and a set place for private worship during which personal reflections on God’s constant love elicited heartfelt thanks.

Comes to mind Mrs. Fannie Cash with whom it was my distinct privilege to visit in her home from time to time. Her favorite “spot” was a setting room corner which contained an old mahogany rocker, an overhead lampstand, a small round table with two objects on it: a big family Bible and a pair of reading glasses. “This is where my God and I get together so He can talk to me and I can thank Him for His blessings.” God was real to my 98-year-old friend.

Q: Is He real to you? Thanks be to the Lord God our Father whose faithful love endures forever!

The man after God’s own heart David had in mind a place which signified God’s presence. He bowed in the direction of God’s “holy temple” to give thanks to the Lord God from whom life and all of life’s blessings flowed – Psalm 138:7-8 . . .

From the beginning of our series of studies on how to pray as taught by the Lord Jesus, we focused first on the One to whom we pray - the Lord God our Father in Heaven – and then we turned our attention to the things He has done. Praise Him then give thanks to Him.

Praise and Thanks are Twins born of God’s Love for His Creation!

When observing the Lord’s Supper, we begin by giving thanks as did Jesus: “and when He had given thanks”. If our Lord followed His own pattern for praying, supposedly He first praised God for Who He is then gave thanks to God for all that He has done . . . for all that His Hand has provided.

His Hand is a term used in the Bible to signify His Power to generate all that needs to be done . . . to prove . . . provide . . . protect . . . perfect.

Praise God for Who He is and give thanks for the things He has done.

Give thanks to God for proving His love and truth . . . !

Give thanks to God for providing all we need . . . !

Give thanks to God for protecting us from evildoers . . . !

Give thanks to God for perfecting His purpose in us . . . !

Praise God for Who He is and give thanks for the things He has done. Amen!

As did David, let each of us think it . . . say it . . . sing it . . . show it.

Let me . . .

Praise the Lord and give thanks in my heart. “As a man thinks in his heart . . .”

Perhaps you find yourself lying in bed at night trying to go to sleep while your mind entertains thoughts of could’ve, would’ve, should’ve as the events of the day pass in review. The most effective antidote to the problems of the day is a rehearsal of God’s goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives on our way to dwell in the House of the Lord!

Jesus voiced His concern about all that goes through our minds when He cautioned us to remember that “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Which is why you hear me from time to time offer the suggestion, “Before opening mouth, be sure brain is in gear.”

Think of it this way: “The problem of the heart is the heart of the problem.”

Well, since many of us have heart problems of this kind as well as the other kind, may we take to heart David’s prescription, “I will praise the Lord with all my heart!”

Praise the Lord and give thanks in my world. “Before the gods” is how David said it. Before the “gods” of this world! Jesus counseled us to “let our light shine” before those who delight in things of “the night” . . . Let us think, say and do that which is right in God’s sight . . . Be thou an example of “the believer” in word and in deed. Thus, “I will praise the Lord and give thanks in my world!”