Be Thankful!

Psalm 65:1-13
Related Sunday School Lesson Family Bible Series, November 21

Thank you.

These two words have been a part of my vocabulary for as long as I can remember. I vividly recall going with my dad to the barber shop as a child. After my haircut, the barber would always open a special drawer that was full of two-cent bubble gum. He would allow me and all the other young boys to take a piece of the candy. My dad would always ask me, "What are you supposed to say?" And of course, I was supposed to say, "Thank you."

As a fairly new father with two young children, I have already found myself asking Michaela and Andrew, "What are you supposed to say?" In this week's Bible study, the Word of God is posing that haunting little question. Encouraged by the inspired pen of David, we see at least five wonderful reasons in the first four verses to express thanksgiving to God.

We are confounded, verse 1

While the KJV states, "Praise waiteth for thee" the wording could mean "to be dumb" or "to be mute." Newer translations such as the NASB reflect this subtlety in meaning and translate verse 1 as "There will be silence before Thee." David is so moved by the thought of God's holiness that he is momentarily speechless.

We often feel that way when we look at creation. What words could adequately describe a sunrise over the ocean? Or a forest-covered mountain? Or a baby's toothless grin? The same sense of awestruck silence has come over the writer as he considers the forgiveness of his Lord.

I am grateful for times of exuberant celebration in a corporate worship setting. Yet I also think we have lost the value of silence as a part of worship.

Some of the most meaningful times of worship should be those that are filled with a gratitude that is too intense to express with an abundance of words. It is at those times, we can cry out in simplicity, "Thank You, Lord."

We are considered, verse 2

The Lord of Creation is actually approachable through the avenue of prayer. God is described as "Thou who dost hear prayer." What a wondrous thought that anytime, anyone, anywhere can approach the throne of grace. One dear saint I knew always began his prayers by saying, "Lord, I thank You first of all that I can pray and You hear me." There was more doctrine and devotion in that simple statement than I realized at the time.

The notion that "all men" come to the Lord should not be misunderstood to mean universal acceptance but rather universal access. It is not that all men do come to the Lord but that all men can come to the Lord if they respond to His initial call. God hears the cries of all His people - black or white, rich or poor, laity or clergy. That realization demands an humble response of gratitude. "Thank You, Lord!"

We are covered, verse 3

The Hebrew word in verse 3 translated "forgive" or "purge" means "to cover." We get our word "atonement" from this little word. David certainly knew a thing or two about sin. He knew its sting, its shame, and its stain.

Some scholars tell us that David hid his sin of adultery and murder for several months before Nathan's confrontation. Imagine the tremendous burden of carrying around the heavy load of unforgiven sin. Now imagine the joy that flooded David's heart when at long last he confessed his sin to a holy God. It was the overwhelming and overflowing joy of standing clean and forgiven!

Being saved as a young child, I never really strayed too far from the Lord in terms of my practice. But as my knowledge of the Scriptures increases, I have a greater awareness of my fallen position before I came to Christ. To think that my sins have been covered by the blood of Christ makes me say, "Thank You, Lord!"

We are chosen, verse 4a

At the risk of sparking debate, the plain truth of the Bible is that God is always initiating a relationship with His chosen people. I have heard people say of a saved man that he "found the Lord." Nothing could be further from the truth. The Scriptural truth is that man is not even looking for God (Romans 3:11). No one can find the Lord. He is not lost.

Our Father is always the One pursuing a relationship with His children. In this verse, God is doing the choosing. God is the One Sovereignly bringing people to dwell in His court. We believe and preach a "whosoever" gospel, but the fact that we have been Divinely selected should make our salvation all the more sweet. "How blessed is the one whom Thou dost choose." This chosen, blessed child of God cries out, "Thank You, Lord!"

We are content, verse 4b

In verses 5-13 the mountains, waves, pastures, valleys, and hills all declare that God provides. But perhaps our greatest source of thanksgiving is right here in verse 4. For here David writes that God has satisfied His people.

The hymn writer asks, "Did ever a saint find this friend forsake him? No, not one!" When we walk near to Christ, in fellowship with His Spirit and His Church, we will know the sweet contentment of salvation and our hearts will declare, "Thank You, Lord!"

I do not have any bubble gum to give you, but I do want to ask you a simple question. As you contemplate God's faithfulness this Thanksgiving, "What are you supposed to say?"