Young People's Group

“OH THAT MEN WOULD GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS”

by Pastor Mitch
September 28, 2014

After months of anticipating this special day, our 40+1 anniversary is finally here! May we really look forward to this day of celebration and seek to give praise to our Lord God! Let’s give thanks to the Lord for His great blessings. The Psalmist wrote in the text of Psalm 107 that he wishes that men would appreciate and give thanks to God more.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” 
Psalm 107:8, 15, 31

While there was a call for the redeemed of the Lord (us included) to give thanks at the beginning of this Psalm, the Psalmist made further wishes for the people to give thanks as they should. These wishes were repeated four times in this Psalm. Repetition denotes the idea of emphasis. The general sense of the Psalm was that the redeemed of the Lord were not appreciating the Lord and what He had done and thus they rebelled against Him instead of giving thanks. They took things for granted! Young people, let’s learn to give more heartfelt thanks to the Lord as we should.

Learning To Be Thankful Always

How can we learn to be thankful to God and for His goodness at all times? There are three things that we need to do. We need to acknowledge God and His attributes, deeply appreciate all that He has done and feel a deep sense of gratitude to Him. The psalmist was able to acknowledge that it was God who heard the prayers of the people when they were in distress. There was a deep sense of appreciation for what He had done.

1. God Satisfies The Longing Soul With His Goodness

“For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” 
Psalm 107:9

The Lord does not just provide food for His people. He also satisfies their soul.

2. God Brings His People Out Of Darkness And Bondage

“For He has broken the gates of bronze,
And cut the bars of iron in two.” 
Psalm 107:16

The Lord does not just deliver His people from bondage. He also delivers them from darkness. The Psalmist was able to dwell on what the Lord had done and sought to give thanks to the Lord. Young people, has the Lord brought satisfaction to our soul at Bethany? Has He brought us out of darkness through the light of His word? Let’s give thanks to Him for His goodness and mercies.

Appropriate Responses To God To Show That We Are Really Thankful To Him

1. Let’s Bring An Offering To The Lord With Thanksgiving

“Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving” 
Psalm 107:22

2. Let’s Joyfully Speak Of The Lord’s Works To Others

“And declare His works with rejoicing.” 
Psalm 107:22

3. Let’s Exalt His Name Among All The People In Worship

“Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,
And praise Him in the company of the elders.” 
Psalm 107:32

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