Young People's Group

“OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD…”

by Pastor Mitch
September 07, 2014

“OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD…”

Reflecting On God Who Keeps His Word Forever

As we look forward to our 40+1 anniversary, my heart is full. It is full because of the thoughts and feelings that flood my soul as I reflect on the Lord; who He is, what He has done for us and what He can do for us for the future. The basis of our hope for the future is the word of God kept in the past. Bethany’s history has shown to us the undeniable fact and reality of the Lord and His unwavering faithfulness in keeping His word to us. Not one word has God not kept with regards to His promises from the Scriptures. The Psalmist was able to see the Lord’s hand involved in keeping His word through the generations. God never forgets His word.

“He is the Lord our God; 
His judgments are in all the earth. 
He remembers His covenant forever, 
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, 
The covenant which He made with Abraham, 
And His oath to Isaac” 
Psalm 105:7-9

Truly this is our God who reigns in heaven above. His word is steadfast as the sun and the moon that rise and set each day accordingly. The Lord gave His word to Abraham and made a covenant with him. There was never a moment in time that God forgot what He had promised to the father of the nation of Israel. Even for a thousand generations and beyond, the faithfulness of God in His keeping His word will remain. His covenant was established even more by the oath that He made (Hebrews 6:17). As we look forward to celebrating our anniversary, let’s never forgot what the Lord had done for us these forty plus one years. And as we look forward to the next thirty-nine years, may God and the way He kept His word to His people and to us be a great impetus to exercise faith in His word.

Depth Of Response To God

The Psalmist made a call to the people to have a depth of response to God as he appreciated the way He kept His word. Let me highlight a number of ways he went about this.

1. Having A Heart Of Thanksgiving To God

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name” 
Psalm 105:1

The Psalmist was able to recall how the Lord kept His word from one generation to another. The Lord kept His word from Abraham to the time that Israel entered the Promised Land. When we reflect on such historical facts and appreciate deeply His word, we cannot help but give thanks to Him. Let’s seek to give thanks to God with hearts of deep appreciation for what He has done for us according to His word. Let’s do all things with thanksgiving in our heart.

2. Having A Great Desire To Seek The Lord And His Strength

“Seek the Lord and His strength; 
Seek His face forever more!” 
Psalm 105:4

Another important response that the Psalmist called for was to seek the Lord even more. As we look at the next 39 years, we know that life and ministry is not going to be straightforward. There will be many challenges ahead. The way God kept His word to the patriarchs and the people of Israel involved complex and intricate plans. He will test His people with His word as He tested Joseph (Psalm 105:19). We need the strength of the Lord to keep trusting In His word and to believe that He will enable us to serve Him well and to overcome whatever we need to. Life is not going to be easy. The challenge is for us to seek Him personally and to find strength to press on in life and ministry. More than that, we are to also find a deeper relationship and communion with God. Let’s truly seek His face that we may trust in Him more and draw closer to Him.

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