Always Give Thanks

Always Give Thanks

 This week our nation gives thanks for all our bountiful blessings

 This year, some will find it hard to give thank in the midst of such tragedies

 In a time of war and acts of terrorism, some would say that it is not a time to give thanks

 But I say that everyday of our lives, regardless of the circumstances around us, is a time to give thanks

Psa 118:

1. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

 Thank God, He has not and will not change!

 God is good all the time

 He is Holy, Righteous, Merciful and Loving

 His mercy shall endure forever (we all need it)

 The same mercy God had on Noah and his family,

 When Israel was in bondage in Egypt

 That led Joshua into many victories

 That restored David after he fell into sin

 That rescued Daniel in lion pit

 That set Peter free when he was imprisoned

 That set Paul and Silas free & shook the walls of the prison like an earthquake

 On that Day (Judgement) on those who have called upon His name.

 Heb 13:1 He is the same yesterday, today…

2. Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever."

 We are grafted in that tree – let us say...

3. Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever."

4. Let those who fear the Lord now say, "His mercy endures forever."

 Not only those born a Jew, Not just the order of priests, but ALL who fear the Lord

 By living in the reverential fear of the Lord, you can have a confidence that his mercy is upon you

 And we are to declare this to our generation

5. I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

 Another tremendous reason for giving thanks - We have a God who hears our prayers!

 He hears them AND He is moved by them

 When trials come upon us, we can call upon God

 “In distress” – (out of my anguish), in your pain, when you have nothing left

 When you call upon Him in the good times, it will be a natural reaction to call upon Him in hard times

 “a broad place” – (a well watered plain), from a confined place to a place of liberty

 His voice still & small but the answer is HUGE

 His voice is simple but the revelation is profound

6. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

 I am thankful that I do not have to live in fear

 Rom 8:31 “…If God be for us, who can be against us?”

 So many people are worried about so many things

 What can man do to you?

 Phl 4:21 “For to me, to live is Christ but to die is gain”

 Be thankful… we win either way – we have ‘no fear’

7. The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

 Give thanks that God is a jealous God

 He loves His people, He is partial to His people

8. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

 I am so thankful that I also stress free

 Faith will make you worry free (Tis so sweet…)

 I do not have to depend on anyone but God

 Man will let you down – God will never let you down

 He is El Shaddai – the All Sufficient One

 Give thanks that we can have total confidence in Him

9. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.

 Managers, CEOs, Generals, Presidents, Kings – all have “an authority” but hold no candle to the One who has all authority, who establishes the authorities

 All others will pass away, they are fallible, they will fail you, they will disappoint you

10. All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

 I am thankful that I have victory over the enemy

 Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority...”

11. They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

12. They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

13. You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me.