Thanksgiving typically gets buried between Halloween and Christmas, but the people of God need to meditate on and practice thanksgiving on a regular basis. Since this week is Thanksgiving week, we will focus on praising God.
Rev. Eddy Aleman spoke on 11/21 with an encouraging and timely message about praise, gratitude and thanksgiving. Some practical suggestions he left us based on many of the Psalms (covered in this week's study): 1) Be aware (notice things around you); 2) Be honest (bring ALL to the Lord in prayer); 3) Be grateful (which will encourage a life of praise; 4) Be vocal (share with others); 5) Be natural; 6) Be consistent (make praise and gratefulness a practice).
Satan is called the "accuser" and the "adversary" in scripture. We have every reason to believe he tries to drag us into dark pits in order to render us useless in God's kingdom. However, we have an advocate - one with nail pierced hands - who goes before the Father on our behalf! Jesus Christ died for you. He defends you. He has forgiven your sins and there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ" (Romans 8:1). No matter what your current situation, if you are a child of God, you have reason to PRAISE because of Jesus Christ, his birth, his life, his blood and his intercession on your behalf. You are NOT: accidental, incidental, expendable, invisible or disposable. You ARE: designed, created, known, seen prized and beloved.
INVITATION: We all need encouragement sometimes. Do not become so discouraged in the delays getting to our forever home that you give up on the pursuit of your earthly purpose. Trust the process. Trust the Lord! He IS at work developing you and growing you. May this week's study be an encouragement in your life and situation no matter what it is. Jesus Christ is FOR YOU. Most of this week's study is based on Psalm 103 which is sometimes called "The hallelujah chorus of David." It is a Psalm of only praise. There is no supplication, no requests, no pleas. How might you live a life of praise and thanksgiving this week? How can David's life be an inspiration to you?
MONDAY: Psalm 103:1-2: David praises from his "inmost being." His inner life. His soul. As you give some space and prayer to it, what is going on in your "inmost being" that you can be thankful for? How might you give praise to God for those things? Verse 2 encourages us to remember the times God has blessed us and we have seen his faithfulness. Scripture is full of instructions to "remember" God's faithfulness. Won't you consider making a list of "all his benefits" this week? Perhaps it will be a good conversation around the Thanksgiving table? Or perhaps just a list from which to give God praise during your prayer times this week?
TUESDAY: Psalm 103:3: God heals physical and emotional wounds. Perhaps today this does not seem possible and you have doubts. Even so, we are commanded to praise and worship God. Maybe this even seems a bit cruel to you. When we give the "sacrifice of praise" (Heb. 13:15), i.e. even when we don't "feel" like praising, it can heal our hearts, minds and souls in ways we can never imagine and perhaps least expect. David's life wasn't all roses, yet he wrote this "hallelujah chorus" to the Lord. Paul gave "glory in tribulations" (Romans 5:3) and took "pleasure in infirmities..." for Christ's sake (2 Cor. 12:10). To bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving means to sacrifice our understanding of what is beneficial and thank God for EVERYTHING because He is benevolent. A sacrifice of thanks lays down OUR perspective and raises hands in praise anyway. We give thanks to God not because of how we feel but because of who He is. Are you willing today to ask the Lord to give you a hallelujah chorus to write? David also danced to the Lord (in other Psalms). Perhaps you are more inclined to offer a hallelujah dance to the Lord? What "sacrifice of praise" do you have today for this Thanksgiving week?
WEDNESDAY: Psalm 103:4: Because of God and because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, we are offered meaning in life. We have purpose, we have a reason and a hope. Many people in life waste their time, energy and effort in pursuit of temporary, passing and secular things. We are afforded a bigger, eternal perspective. How can you live today remembering this is NOT your true home? You are built for eternity. Matt. 16:26 asks us "what if we gain the whole world but lose our souls?" Living for Jesus and his "upside down kingdom" can seem counter intuitive and counter cultural sometimes (because it is), but it gives meaning and purpose to our time here on this earthly journey. How can you be in praise about the meaning and purpose in your life today?
THURSDAY: Psalm 103:5: God blesses in youth, but also in old age. Today is Thanksgiving. If you are gathered with others, how many different "ages and stages" of life are you around today? Ask the Lord to show you the kaleidoscope of giftings and blessings that are present in the people you are around. If you are not around others today, ask God to show you that within the week. Sometimes it's easy to get stuck wishing we were any age or stage other than where we are (not parents, not married, not out of school yet, not in a job yet, etc.). How might you pray for "renewal" in your circumstances?
FRIDAY: Psalm 143: One of the invitations from Rev. Aleman was to be honest with God. This is a Psalm where David was honest about his fears, depression, worry, etc. Yet verse 8 indicates how, with each new day, we have a fresh beginning in God's love and faithfulness. The psalmist seeks God's presence from the first light of day. How do you start your days? Is God included? How might you pray honestly today and perhaps begin to include God in your mornings?