AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

November 24, 2024

Thanksgiving Sermon

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Psalm 103:1-22

A National Day of Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing.  The child of God has more than a truckload of reasons for giving thanks every day.  This psalm explores several of those reasons.

This particular psalm was written by David.  It was probably written when he was an older man.  It contains the language of a man who has experienced the serious consequences of sin and the awesome forgiveness and pardon of Almighty God.    In this passage of Scripture, we have A Call for Human Praise and A Call for Creation's Praise. 

Let's spend a little time in this "mountaintop of praise" as I preach about An Attitude of Gratitude.

I.  The Request for An Attitude of Gratitude v. 1

     David seeks to stir up his inner man to praise the Lord.  Perhaps he is in a

     spiritual slump.  Perhaps his praise isn't as vocal or as frequent as it should

     be.  So, he challenges his " soul" to "bless the Lord".

     in Hebrew the word "bless" (baw-rak) means "to kneel before another in

     praise and adoration.'  it is a call for the soul to give adoration, praise and

     worship to a worthy God.

     We are living in a day when there truly is a drought of praise among the

     people of God.

     What would do well to stir up our own souls to praise the Lord!

II.  The Requirement of An Attitude of Gratitude v. 2

     David warns his soul of the dangers of "forgetting" the "benefits" of the Lord

     in his life.  The word "benefits" has the idea of "dealings".   It relates to being

     given rewards or benefits coming from the hand of the Almighty God.

     The word "forget" refers to "a lapse of memory that can cause one to

     stray".  When we forget what we have in Jesus and who we are in Jesus,

     there is the danger that might stray away from Him.  Praise keeps us

     tender, clean and close!

     Thankfulness is not an opinion; it is a command - 1 Thes. 5:18: Esph. 5;10:

     Heb. 13:5. (Are you keeping the commandment?)

III.  The Reasons for An Attitude of Gratitude v. 3-22

    David identifies eight spiritual reasons that should stimulate our hearts to

    offer God thanksgiving and praise, not just in November, but on every day of

    the year.

    *  God's Forgiveness v. 3a - In Him all sin is gone!

    *  God's Healing v. 3b - In Him, the soul is made whole!

    *  God's Redemption v. 4a - In Him, we stand redeemed!

     *  God's Grace v. 4b - In Him, we have received, grace, mercy, compassion,

         salvation and eternal blessings!

     *  God's Goodness v. 5 - in Him, we have renewed strength!

     *  God's Intercession v. 6 - In Him, we Have One Who pleads our case!

     *  God's Revelation v. 7 - In Him, we can know Him, fellowship with Him and

          follow Him!

     *  God's Sovereignty v. 19 In Him, we can rest in His control of all things!

As David closes this Psalm, he calls on all of creation to join him in his praise of the Lord.  Angels, saints, servants and sinners, along with all creation, are called upon to offer God the praise, glory and adoration He deserves.

We have only scratched the surface of His blessings!  Think of your family, your church, your Bible, your material blessings, your health, your food, your air, your water, your clothing, your friends, etc., your blessings are enormous!  An Attitude of Gratitude ought to be in direct proportion to our blessings.  Are they?  in essence, our thanksgiving and praise should be above and beyond any circumstance.

Responsive Reading: Psalm 103:1-10