November 28, 2019 (Thursday)
”How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people” (Psalm 116:12-14 NIV).
The Psalmist feels like thanking the Lord. Hopefully, so do all of us. At this Thanksgiving season, how do we thank the Lord?
First, we say, “Thank you.” Surely that is self-evident as our first responsibility. The Lord is the source of our blessings. We begin and end the day with thanksgiving, and throughout the day we thank Him. We thank Him for everything through our attitude and with our words. The person who feels no gratitude tends to be sour and cynical; the truly thankful person is radiant.
Then, we keep our promises. As the Psalmist put it, “I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” Along life’s journey, we make promises to God. We should keep those promises. Before we make another vow to God, we should examine those we have already made. We surely do not want to break our vows. A good way to observe Thanksgiving is to examine our own hearts before the Lord, rededicating ourselves to serving Him as we have promised.
Finally, we share our blessings. Sharing is the cure for selfishness, which betrays an unthankful heart. Generosity is born of a thankful spirit. The only way to serve God is to serve others. Giving to the Lord’s work is a way of expressing our thanks to Him. Sharing our income is a symbol of our commitment to Christ.
On Thanksgiving Day, let us tell the Lord how much we appreciate His blessings, and let us rededicate our lives to Him to become a channel of His blessings upon others.
Originally published 11-24-2007
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Blog date November 21, 2018 (Wednesday)
Bible Study and Prayer Meeting November 14, 2018 (Wednesday)
New International Version (NIV)
I. PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GRACE (1-5)
The Psalmist summons his soul and all his faculties to praise the LORD for pardon, redemption, and bountiful provision for every need (Psalm 103:1-5).
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits–
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
II. THE LORD’S MERCY KNOWS NO LIMITS (6-18)
The LORD’s revelation of Himself to Moses has been verified afresh in His recent treatment of Israel (Psalm 103:6-10).
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
His pardoning mercy knows no limits; His fatherly love shews the most tender consideration (Psalm 103:11-14).
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Man may be frail and transitory, but those who fear the LORD can rest in the assurance of His eternal faithfulness to their posterity (Psalm 103:15-18).
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children–
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
III. LET ALL CREATION PRAISE THE LORD (19-22)
The thought of the universality of the LORD’s kingdom naturally introduces the call to all creation to join in an universal chorus of praises (Psalm 103:19-22).
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Words, Thomas O. Chisholm
Tune: William Marion Runyan
1923
1 “Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
CHORUS:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided–
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!