“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.”
Psalm 107:1-3
Give Thanks! (Psalm 107)
When I was growing up, my mother always used what she called “Indian corn” (now called flint corn) in her fall decorating. When I see it, I instantly think of Thanksgiving Day. In the United States, Thanksgiving celebrates when the Native Americans and the colonists came together to thank God for a bountiful harvest.
In Plymouth Colony, the native Americans helped the colonists to successfully grow and harvest flint corn. After the harvest, the colonists and the native Americans gathered together to eat the the first Thanksgiving meal. They ate corn and other foods that the Native Americans taught the starving colonists to grow or hunt so they could survive.
Flint Corn
Flint corn is very distinctive because of its different colored kernels on the same ear. Different variations of corn are planted together, which results in multi-colored, or calico-colored, ears. The result is a beautiful tapestry of colors that is also edible and provides nourishment.
Planted Together
As I was thinking about that, it occurred to me that God has designed the local church to do something very similar to this flint corn. Planted together in the house of the Lord, we gather together to make a beautiful tapestry that provides food for the hungry.
“Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:4-9
Thanksgiving
Though the Thanksgiving holiday commemorates the past, we have so much to be thankful for in the present. We were in darkness and the Light of the World came to redeem us. He set us free from the chains of sin and reconciled us to our Creator. His steadfast love never gives up on us!
“Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:10-15
Songs of Joy
Our gratitude should drive us to worship with songs of joy. In fact, one of my favorite worship songs is called “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. I love that thankfulness prompts hallelujahs, or praise the Lord! Also, I love the bridge of the song, in which the singer stirs up his own soul to worship God.
“For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” Psalm 107:16-22
By His Blessing
It is by God’s blessing that we ever prosper or have what we need. As a loving Father, He provides for us and gives beyond what we need. For all that He has done, we give thanks and offer up songs of praise.
“He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the evil of its inhabitants.He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;they sow fields and plant vineyards
and get a fruitful yield.By his blessing they multiply greatly,
and he does not let their livestock diminish.When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, evil, and sorrow,he pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;but he raises up the needy out of affliction
and makes their families like flocks.The upright see it and are glad,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:33-43
Action Step:
Make a list of everything you can think of to be thankful for – once I get started, it seems like one idea sparks another. We have so much for which to be grateful: the breath in our lungs, all of creation, salvation, deliverance, family, friends, jobs, homes, food, etc. Be specific and, like we talked about last time, joyful, as we worship God with our gratitude. And, if you haven’t heard the Brandon Lake song “Gratitude”, give it a listen today!
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank You! You have done so much for us! We cannot even begin to thank you enough. Everything we have and everything we are is from Your Hand. Thank You for planting us in the church with so many different people. Together, we are beautiful and display Your goodness to the world. We bring our gratitude to you today! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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