It is right and fitting that God’s people give thanks to Him for His steadfast love and saving work! Scripture exhorts us to this over and over again (Ps. 33:1-3; Col. 3:16-17; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; etc.). Gratitude certainly for temporal blessings, but all the more for God’s powerful mercy in redeeming us from the bondage and penalty of our sin!
To spur on your thanksgiving this Thanksgiving, let me encourage you over the next few days to read and meditate on (perhaps with your family and/or friends) Psalms 104, 105, 106, and 107. These four Psalms provide a sober and joyful historical tapestry of God’s dealings with people through much of the Old Covenant time.
- Psalm 104 – History of Creation and the Flood
- Psalm 105 – History of the Patriarchs to the Conquest of the Promised Land (Abraham through Moses)
- Psalm 106 – History of Israel in their Land until the Babylonian Captivity
- Psalm 107 – History of the Return to the Land from Exile
In all this we see the glorious truth ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ: God is able to save to the uttermost those who humbly call on Him in faith, and to likewise bring complete destruction on all who arrogantly rebel. Great comfort for the redeemed; great terror for the wicked!
If you’re in town this weekend, I look forward to gathering with you on the Lord’s Day. Just so happens I’m planning to preach from Psalm 107 – “Let the Redeemed Give Thanks to God”!
Thanking Him with you,
Greg
P.S. Chris Tomlin’s song Forever gives expression to these truths (just ignore the image of “airbrush Jesus” midway through the video!).