Choosing Thankfulness

 

1CHRON. 16:1-43; 1 THESS. 5:18

SUBJECT: THANKFUL

THEME: We need to maintain thankful attitudes.

INTRODUCTION: First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Sometimes we say, “If only I had a better job,” or “I really envisioned life differently,” or “I wish I didn’t have so many problems.” We seem to be good at noticing the wrongs, poor developments, and failures. In contrast, God prescribes cultivating a thankful heart. In a day when being rude, immature, taking too much for granted, and mean spirited are acceptable in our society we need a fresh dose of thankfulness….

Giving thanks can be a powerful change spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. If we can cultivate a thankful heart, we will solve or eliminate many of our problems. Offering thanks and praises to God helps us to stop focusing merely on our difficulties and ourselves. This was certainly true for the psalm writers. Whenever a problem developed, they would cry out to the Lord in despair. One said, “LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” King David had this attitude when he fled from his son Absalom, who wanted to take over his throne. But eventually he started thinking about all the good things God had done for him. Clearly, it is when he cultivated an attitude of thankfulness—even while fleeing from Absalom—that he clean-escaped the clutches of despair. So, what can we apply?

MESSAGE:

I.  Celebrate The Presence of The Lord With Thanksgiving.  1Chron. 16:1-43   This is a record of the Ark’s return to the center of the nation’s Worship which symbolized the presence of the Lord among His people Israel.

A.  THE OCCASION FOR THE CELEBRATION   VS. 1-3

Having brought the ark into the tent … pitched for it and having completed the sacrifices of burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, David blessed the people of Israel and distributed bread and cakes of dates and raisins to each one (vv. 1–3).^[1]

    1. The Presence of the Ark of The Covenant Comes to Jerusalem.   Vs. 1

    2. The Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle of His People.   Vs. 1

    3. The Presence of the Gifts the Lord Has Given Us.

          A.  The Gift of Jesus Christ and His Cross– Sacrifice.  Vs. 1- 2 “burnt sacrifices” “peace offerings”

          B.  The Gift of the Word of God.      Vs. 2 “bread” “flesh”

          C.  The Gift of the Joy in the Lord   Vs.  3 “flagons of wine”

As soon as the ark was placed in the tent, sacrifices were offered. The burnt offerings were the highest expression of worship ceremonially possible (cf. Lev. 1). It was wholly consumed by the flames and it ascended in smoke to be enjoyed by God alone.^[2]

The peace offering pictured communion with the Lord and a sharing of the good things which came from the Lord. Both peace and burnt offerings were prominent in the observance of festivals and solemn occasions, and certainly this was a festive day for all Israel. Everyone received a helping of meat before he left for home (v. 3).^[3]

B.  THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CELEBRATION    VS. 3-7

David next acted to insure that thanksgiving and rejoicing before the Lord would be carried on daily and not be reserved for special occasions (cf. vv. 37–42). Levites were appointed to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord … with … instruments and voices.^[4]

     1. Everyone Was Generally Involved.  Vs. 3 “every one”

     2. The Levites Were Specifically Involved.   Vs.  4, “he appointed certain of the Levites”

           A.  They Were to Minister    Vs. 4

           B.  They Were to Record   Vs. 4

           C.  They Were to Thank    Vs. 4

           D.  They Were to Praise   vs. 4

           F.  They Were to Play Music    Vs. 5-6

           G.  They Were to Sing Psalms   vs. 7

APPLICATION: We should always be expressing thankfulness (1 Chron 16:4). Certain Levites were appointed to give continual praise and thanks to God. Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. Praise God continually, and you will find that you won't take his blessings for granted. It is correct for our praise celebrations be done with great enthusiasm– celebration, music, sacrifices, praise, singing, and thanksgiving to the Lord.

C.  THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CELEBRATION   VS. 7-36

This hymn of thanksgiving is actually a compilation of passages from other psalms, a fact which suggests the priority of those psalms. David then must have excerpted parts from his earlier poetry and woven them together into this beautiful piece.^[5]

There are four significant aspects or elements of thankfulness found in this song (psalm):

     1. Telling Others About It.     Vs. 8-11

     2.  Remembering What God Has Done.  Vs. 12-22

     3.  Showing God's Glory to Others.   Vs. 10, 23-36

     4. Offering Gifts of Self, Time, and Resources.   Vs. 2-3, 29, 40-42

APPLICATION: If we are truly thankful, our lives will show it. Thankfulness can take on a variety of effective expressions. We become Christians through God's unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this incredible gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness. God’s grace in our lives becomes the foundation of our operations with others. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up his churches (Eph 4:12).  One way we can do this is by expressing our thanksgiving with others.  By doing so we encourage them to reflect on the goodness, grace, mercy, and awesomeness of God.

D.  THE CONTINUATION OF THE CELEBRATION   VS. 37-43

David was careful to appoint Levites to carry on the worship of Jehovah before the ark in Jerusalem, and also at Gibeon where the tabernacle and the altar of burnt offering were still located. At Jerusalem he designated singers, door-keepers, and trumpeters, all under Abiathar. The priesthood of Zadok officiated in Gibeon. The chief emphasis in this passage is on the musicians. ^[6]

    1. Thanksgiving was Meant to Be Special.   Vs. 1

    2. Thanksgiving was Meant to be Continual.  Vs. 37

    3. Thanksgiving was Meant to be Personal.   Vs. 43

APPLICATION: Complaining and discouragement partly stems from an unhealthy belief that we spiritually deserve better conditions and a better situation from God. Sometimes we act as though God is responsible for cheating us or that our faithfulness in some area deserves better outcomes…. When I forget this reality…too often I do forget–I resort to complaining and griping. The complaining can be canceled when Thanksgiving becomes a personal habit every day. Let’s make it a matter of continual celebration today. (1Thess. 5:18; Phil. 2:13-15; Job1:21; Ps. 34:1; Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6; Col.3:17; Heb.13:15).  Complaining (Ex. 16:7-8; Num. 14:27; Ps. 106:25; 1Cor. 10:10; Ju. 16).

II. Cultivate an Attitude of On-Going Thanksgiving.

There Are Many Good Reasons for Being Thankful Continually.

We have many things to be thankful for:

Psalm 30:4—Give thanks at the remembrance of God’s holiness.

Psalm 30:4, Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 106:1—Give thanks to the Lord, because He is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 106:1, Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Daniel 2:23—Daniel expressed thankfulness to God for the wisdom and strength given him.

Daniel 2:23, I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Romans 1:8—Give thanks to God for Christians who exhibit their faith.

Romans 1:8, First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 6:17—Be thankful for the conversion of repentant sinners.

Romans 6:17, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 7:23–25—Be thankful that Christ has delivered you from the power of indwelling sin.

Romans 7:23-25, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 Corinthians 1:4—Thank God for the grace He bestows on believers.

1 Cor. 1:4, I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

1 Corinthians 15:57—Give thanks to God that He has given us victory over death.

1 Cor. 15:57, But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14—We should be thankful for the triumph of the gospel.

2 Cor. 2:14, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  

2 Corinthians 8:16—Be thankful for those who have a zeal for Christ.

2 Cor. 8:16, But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

2 Corinthians 9:15—We are to be thankful for the gift of Christ.

2 Cor. 9:15, Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

1 Thessalonians 2:13—Be thankful for those who receive and apply the Word of God.

1 Thes. 2:13, For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Thessalonians 1:3—We should be thankful when we see believers working hard for the sake of the kingdom and showing love to one another.

2 Thes. 1:3, We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Revelation 11:17—We should be thankful for Christ’s power and His coming kingdom.

Rev. 11:17, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

CONCLUSION: Beloved, don’t complain, poor mouth, grumble, express annoyance, whine, moan, or protest when you’re in less than desirable circumstances or experiencing a lack of sufficiency. Cultivate a heart of thankfulness instead! If you’re not a thankful person, it may be because you feel you deserve better circumstances than those you currently have. Remember if we got what we deserved, we’d be in hell already. That goes for all of us. So be thankful for the many gifts God gives you…there are many things we are overlooking, taking for granted, just expecting, assuming as reasonable, or not fully appreciating. True thankfulness will take all the sourness out of our lives. 

Ephes. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Thankfulness ought to be a primary characteristic in a Christian's life. When someone gives you a gift, do you say, "That's very nice -- now how much do I owe you?" No, the appropriate response to a gift is "Thank you." Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy.

ILLUSTRATION: Praying For the Water

 I was once invited to a luncheon where thirty or forty Christians—ministers and laymen—were gathered together for discussion of a certain problem of Christian work.

 A well-known layman was asked to return thanks before the meal. I have heard the blessing asked hundreds of times, but suddenly my attention was aroused. The man who was praying said, “We thank Thee for all these gifts, for our food, for our water …”

 I do not know what else was said in the prayer, but that thought gripped me. Thank God for the water … I have asked the blessing before thousands of meals, but that day for the first time, I thanked the Lord in spirit and in truth for common ordinary water, and for the Living Water. I then began to think of other common things for which we never thank God, and began thanking Him. —Donald Grey Barnhouse

Expressing Gratitude in Africa

 In another African dialect, the Karre, the expression for thankfulness is “to sit down on the ground before” another. A thankful Karre will go to the home of his benefactor and sit on the ground before his hut. No word need be spoken; his silent vigil signifies his gratitude. The man who is thankful to God, therefore, sits before God to enjoy his presence. He is never satisfied merely to tip his hat to God as he passes; gratitude demands that he seek God’s presence and fellowship. —Roger William Thomas

Lesson From A Beggar

 There was once a good king in Spain called Alfonso XII. Now it came to the ears of this king that the pages at his court forgot to ask God’s blessing on their daily meals, and he determined to rebuke them. He invited them to a banquet which they all attended. The table was spread with every kind of good thing, and the boys ate with evident relish; but none of them remembered to ask God’s blessing on the food.

 During the feast a beggar entered, dirty and ill-clad. He seated himself at the royal table and ate and drank to his heart’s content. At first the pages were amazed, and they expected that the king would order him away. But Alfonso said never a word. When the beggar had finished he rose and left without a word of thanks. Then the boys could keep silence no longer. “What a despicably mean fellow!” they cried.

 But the king silenced them, and in clear, calm tones he said, “Boys, bolder and more audacious than this beggar have you all been. Every day you sit down to a table supplied by the bounty of your Heavenly Father, yet you ask not His blessing nor express to Him your gratitude.”—James Hastings

Thankful For Unusualness

 Dr. Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh was famous for his pulpit prayers. He always found something to thank God for, even in bad times. One stormy morning a member of his congregation thought to himself, “The preacher will have nothing to thank God on a wretched morning like this.” But Whyte began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.”

Thankful After Robbery

 Matthew Henry, the famous scholar, was once accosted by thieves and robbed of his purse. He wrote these words in his diary:

 “Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”—Church of Ireland

Thankfulness For Thorn

 George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, now with the Lord, says: “My God, I have never thanked Thee for my “thorn!” I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my “thorn;” I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my “thorn.” Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.”—Moody Monthly

Remember At Least Some

 When Mr. Moody was once reading the One Hundred and Third Psalm, and came to the verse, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” he stopped short in his inimitable way, “You can’t remember ’em all, of course, but don’t forget ’em all. Remember some of ’em.”

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^[1] Eugene H. Merrill, “1 Chronicles,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 606–607.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 434.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 434.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 434.

^[5] Eugene H. Merrill, “1 Chronicles,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 607.

^[6] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 435.