Thanksgiving
Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 15:11-31 / Psalm 125:1-5
I. Hard Times Have Limits
A. The Babylonian captivity had limits; God brought His people home. “A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” (Psalm 126:1)
B. Distress causes actual believers to turn to God for what they cannot supply themselves. “A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.” (Psalm 120:1) “And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jonah 2:2)
C. Hard times clarify the full measure of God’s grace; God is the helper of the helpless. “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:” (Psalm 124:2-3)
D. Remember how God helped Moses when the leaders of Israel rose in rebellion against him. “And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” (Numbers 16:2-3)
E. There is room in the church for the returning prodigal. “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:21-24)
II. Grace Is Great
A. Grace overwhelms; even nonbelievers marvel. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.” (Psalm 126:2)
B. When Ezra brought the people to Jerusalem, revival spread and the holy people flourished. “And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.” (Ezra 3:11)
C. Even the ultimate collapse of the old order worked for good to the entire world as the gospel went out from Jerusalem to the nations. “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15)
D. God’s gifts spill all over. “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3) “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:5-6)
E. God is the source of hope and joy. “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3)
III. Start Thanking God
A. Keep asking; do not let awareness of sin and punishment stand in the way of grace. “Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.” (Psalm 126:4)
B. Acting when the situation seems hopeless yields a joyful harvest; Christians are the ultimate contrarians. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
C. The hard times are times to plant and the crops planted then yield well. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6)
