"What Thanksgiving Should Be"
Psalm 111:1-10 (NASB)

Note: Although this sermon is has a lot of Hebrew mixed in it, I do not go through every word during my sermon.  These Hebrew references are only that, references for me to use if it strengthens the message.  Plus it is helpful if someone has questions about what I said after the sermon.
 

Introduction: The holiday that we know as Thanksgiving has come a long way from its beginnings here in America. The Pilgrims came ashore from the Mayflower on December 21, 1620. The first winter was extremely hard in the "new world," out of the original 103 settlers 51 died. In March, 1621 an Indian named "Squint" joined the Pilgrims. He showed them how to plant corn, and guided them to unknown places. After surviving that first year, Governor William Bradford sent four men to hunt for game birds. They returned with enough wild turkeys and waterfowl to last a week! The fishermen brought cod and bass. The Indian hunters brought 5 deer. Ninety Indians feasted with the colonists for 3 days. Governor Bradford recorded another Thanksgiving Day in 1623, in which he made this statement, "Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squash, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience;" (Governor William Bradford 66).

    Today when we think of Thanksgiving I would guess that the images of the pilgrims probably don't come to the mind of most Americans. Instead, we probably think of Turkey, stuffing and Cranberry sauce; and who is playing the Dallas Cowboys or the Detroit Lions. We probably even think about our family members gathering together to eat and just to have a good time of fellowship. The Israelites celebrated a yearly thanksgiving during the harvest times (Feast of Weeks and Booths) to give thanks to God for providing for their needs. And likewise for us today, Thanksgiving Day should be more than just eating, fellowship and football, it should be a day to give thanks to our God for His wonderful provision. In our passage today, the Psalmist shares with us 3 things that should be included in our thanksgiving.

I. It Should Be A Time Of Celebration (vv.1-2).
1. It is a time to praise the Lord with all your heart (v.1a).

A. "Praise the LORD!"

1) "praise," halal {haw-lal': n, proper, absolute}; to shine, to give forth a clear and distinct sound (with a loud voice).
2) Literally, "Hallelujah"
3) The word, "praise" is used around 300 times in the O.T. and about 34 times in the N.T.

A) It comes from the same root word for "price," indicating something of value and worth to another.
B) It far exceeds "gratitude" for any blessings received.

B. "I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,"

1) "give thanks," yadah {yaw-daw': v, hiphil, part, m, pl, absolute}; give thanks, thanksgiving, praise.
2) "whole heart," {lay-bawb': n, common, m, sg, absolute}; heart, the seat of emotions and passions (i.e., mind, will, heart, soul, and understanding).

Application: This isn't speaking of someone "tagging" on the phrase "praise the Lord," on to the end of every other sentence that they speak.  That's not praise, just a bad habit and it could even be considered as using the Lord's name in vain. Praise starts in the heart, and finds its way up through our lips, or as Vance Havner put it, "...for what is down in the well will come up in the bucket."  So true praise comprises everything that is in the "well" of our hearts, and if you want to know what's in your "well" just look you your "bucket."

2. It is a time of fellowship (v.1b).

A. With Christian friends

1) "company," {sode: n, common, m, sg, absolute}; company, circle of familiar friends.
2) "upright," {yaw-shawr': adj, f, pl, absolute}; upright, straight, those who do right.

B. With your whole congregation

1) "assembly," {ay-daw': v, haphel, part, m, sg, absolute}; congregation, gathering together, assembly, company.
2) It is speaking here, of the nation of Israel; in the N.T. this term is used to describe to the church.

3. It is a time of delight (v.2).

A. The Psalmist declares that as he examines the wonderful works of the Lord, that it brings delight to his heart.

1) "great," dadol {gaw-dole': n, common, f, sg, construct; suffix, 1 per, common, sg}; great, mighty.
2) "works," ma'aseh {mah-as-eh': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; deeds, works, labors, acts.
3) "Lord," Yehovah {yeh-ho-vaw': n, proper, absolute}; Jehovah = "the existing One."
4) "studied," darash {daw-rash': v, niphal, part, m, sg absolute}; to seek, seek with care, search.
5) "delight," chephets {khay'-fets: adj, f, sg, absolute}; delight, pleasure, longing, desire.

B. There are two responses by those who study God's works and Word.

1) The Unbeliever: Proverbs 18:2, "A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind." (NASB)
2) The Believer {i.e., King David) Psalm 40:8, "I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart." (NASB).

Application: When we come together this year for Thanksgiving, lets make sure that it is a time of celebration. A time of whole-hearted praise to God, and a time of delight by recognizing all that God has done and has provided.
 

II. It Should Be A Time Of Remembrance (vv.3-9).
1. For His marvelous works (v.3a, 4a).

A. The psalmist describes God's works as "splendid," and "majestic" (v.3a).

1) "splendid," howd {hode: n, common, m, sg, absolute}; splendor, glory, honor, worthy of high praise, grandeur.
2) "majestic," hadar {haw-dawr': n, common, m, sg, construct; suffix, 1 per, common, sg}; majesty, glory, beauty, stately and noble, sovereign.

B. The psalmist also tells us that it is a good thing to remember God's wonderful works.

1) "wonders," pala' {paw-law': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; wonderful, marvelous, extraordinary.
2) "remembered," zeker {zay'-ker: n, common, m, pl, absolute}; remembrance, memorial, memory, recall, call to mind.

Application: When we take time to ponder the grandeur and beauty of God's great works in all of creation, we cannot help but to praise the Lord. David wrote in Psalm 8:1, 3-4, "O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens!...When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?" (NASB)

2. For His compassion (v.4b).

A. God is compassionate, and hears the cries of those who are troubled.

1) "Lord," Yehovah {yeh-ho-vaw': n, proper, absolute}; Jehovah = "the existing One."
2) "gracious," channuwn {khan-noon': adj, m, sg, absolute}; gracious, as hearing the cry of the vexed debtor.
3) "compassionate," rachuwn {rakh-oom': n, proper, absolute}; compassionate, merciful.

B. David speaks of this in Psalm 18:6, "In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears." (NASB)

Application: We should give thanks to God for His compassion to sinners; that He hears our cries in our time of troubles.

3. For His provision (v.5a).

A. The Psalmist gives thanks for God's provision of food.

1) "given," nathan {naw-than': v, peal, infinitive, construct}; to give, bestow, grant.
2) "food," tereph {teh'-ref: adj, m, pl, construct}; food, meat.
3) "fear," yare' {yaw-ray': adj, f, sg, construct}; fear, reverence, afraid.

B. Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (NASB)

Application: We should give thanks to God, that He is faithful to those who Love him and has in the past and will continue to provide for our daily needs.

4. For His faithfulness (vv.5b-6).

A. God doesn't forget His promises (v.5b).

1) "remember," zakar {zaw-kar': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; to remember, recall, call to mind, keep in remembrance, to record.
2) "covenant," beriyth {ber-eeth': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; covenant, pledge, agreement.
3) "forever," olam {o-lawm': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; for ever, everlasting, ever more, perpetual.

B. God is faithful in preserving His people (v.6).

1) "made known," nagad {naw-gad': part, prep}; to tell, declare, make known, announced.
2) "power," koach {ko'-akh: n, common, m, sg, absolute}; strength, might, power, ability, power.
3) "works," ma'-aseh {mah-as-eh': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; deeds, works, undertakings, labors.
4) "giving," nathan {naw-than': v, peal, infinitive, construct}; to give, bestow, grant, deliver.
5) "heritage," nachalah {nakh-al-aw': n, common, f, pl, absolute}; possession, property, inheritance, portion, share.
6) "nations," gowy {go'-ee: n, common, m, pl, absolute, kethib}; nations, Gentiles, people, heathen.

Application: We should give thanks to God for His faithfulness to His Word and His people. We can count on God to be faithful, even when no one else will be.

5. For His righteous (vv.3b, 7-8).

A. God's righteousness never changes (v.3b).

1) "righteousness," tsedaqah {tsed-aw-kaw': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; justice, righteousness, righteous acts.
2) "endures," 'amad {aw-mad': part, prep; suffix, 1per, common, sg}; to stand, remain, endure, to take one's stand.
3) "forever," 'ad {ad: part, prep}; perpetuity, for ever, of continuous existence, ever more.

B. All that God has done and said is true and will remain forever (vv.7-8).

1) "The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure." (v.7).

A) "works," ma'-aseh {mah-as-eh': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; deeds, works, labors, things done.
B) "hands," yad {yawd: n, common, f, dual, absolute}; hand, (figuratively: strength, power).
C) "truth," 'emeth {eh'-meth: n, common, f, sg, absolute}; firmness, in truth, faithfulness, trustworthy.
D) "justice," mishpat {mish-pawt': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; judgment, justice, ordinance.
E) "all," kol {kol: v, pilpel, part, m, sg, absolute}; the whole, all.
F) "precepts," piqqud {pik-kood': v, hiphil, imperf, 1per, common, sg}; precept, statute, commandment.
G) "sure," 'aman {aw-man': v, haphel, perf, 3per, m, sg}; to support, confirm, be faithful, pillars of support, reliable, faithful, to stand firm.

2) "They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness." (v.8)

A) "upheld," camak {saw-mak": v, niphal, imperf, 3 per, m, sg}; support, uphold, sustain, established.
B) "forever," ad {ad: part, prep}; for ever, eternity, ever more, perpetually.
C) "ever," 'owlam {o-lawm': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; for ever, ever, everlasting, ever more, perpetual, always.
D) "performed," 'asah {aw-saw': v, niphal, part, f, pl, absolute}; to do, fashion, accomplish, make, bring forth.
E) "truth," 'emeth {eh'-meth: n, common, f, sg, absolute}; truth, assured, reliability.
F) "uprightness," yashar {yaw-shawr': adj, f, pl, absolute}; straight, upright, correct, right.

6. For His redemption (v.9)

A. God is the God of Redemption.

1) "sent," shalach {shaw-lakh': v, peal, imperf, 3per, m, sg, jussive}; to send, direct.
2) "redemption," peduwth {ped-ooth': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; redemption, redeem.
3) "ordained," tsavah {tsaw-vaw': v, piel, part, f, sg, absolute}; to command, charge, give orders, appoint, ordain (of divine act).
4) "covenant," beriyth {ber-eeth': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; covenant, pledge, agreement.
5) "forever," 'olam {o-lawm': n, common, m, pl, absolute}; for ever, everlasting, ever more, perpetual.
6) "Holy," qadosh {kaw-doshe': n, common, f, pl, absolute}; sacred, holy, Holy One, set apart.
7) "awesome," yare' {yaw-ray': to fear, reverence, honor, respect.
8) "name," shem {shame: n, common, m, pl, construct; suffix, 2per, m, pl}; name, renown, fame, reputation.

B. God throughout the history of man has constantly provided redemption to men.

1) Noah from the flood.
2) Israel from slavery in Egypt.
3) Sinners doomed to an eternal lake of fire, by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and shed His blood for our sins.

A) Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ." (NASB)
B) Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB).
C) Romans 10:13, "for æWhoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved.'" (NASB).

III. It Should Be A Time Of Understanding (v.10).
1. That all wisdom comes from God (v.10a).

A. Reverence to God is the starting point for all wisdom.

1) "fear," yir'ah {yir-aw': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; fear, respect, reverence, piety.
2) "Lord," Yehovah {yeh-ho-vaw': n, proper, absolute}; Jehovah = "the existing One."
3) "beginning," re'rhiyth {ray-sheeth': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; first, beginning, the chief thing.
4) "wisdom," chokmah {khok-maw': n, common, f, sg, absolute}; wisdom, be wise or make wise, denotes intelligence, knowledge, insight.

B. All wisdom has its source in God

1) Proverbs 2:6, "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (NASB).
2) Jeremiah 10:12, "It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens." (NASB)

A. God's wisdom brings obedience.

1) "good," towb {tobe: adj, f, pl, absolute}; good, agreeable, valuable.
2) "understanding," sekel {seh'-kel: v, hithpaal, part, m, sg, absolute}; understanding, insight, knowledge, discretion.
3) "do," 'asah {aw-saw': v, niphal, part, f, pl, absolute}; to do, make, produce, to observe.

B. Psalm 86:11, "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name." (NASB)
C. Psalm 119:34, "Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, And keep it with all my heart." (NASB)

A. With praise that lasts forever.

1) "praise," tehillah {teh-hil-law': n, common, f, pl, absolute}; praise, adoration, thanksgiving.
2) "endures," 'amad {aw-mad': part, prep; suffix, 1per, common, sg}; to stand, remain, endure.
3) "forever," 'ad {ad: part, prep}; perpetuity, for ever, ever more, everlasting, eternity.

B. Psalm 119:169-171, "Let my cry come before Thee, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Thy word. Let my supplication come before Thee; Deliver me according to Thy word. Let my lips utter praise, For Thou dost teach me Thy statutes." (NASB)

Application: Warren Wiersbe states, "...Genuine wisdom begins by fearing God. You increase your wisdom as you obey His Word and praise Him. As you walk with the Lord today, do so with the wisdom that comes from fearing Him." Love and fear of the Lord are the main ingredients of true wisdom, and without them you will never be able to give thanks to Him. Let's make this Thanksgiving a time of not only understanding God's Word, but a time of obeying His Word also.
 

Thanksgiving Truths:

1. Thanksgiving day should be a time of celebration, remembrance, and Godly understanding.

2. It should be a day that is focused upon the wonderful and marvelous God of the universe.

A. Who has shown His love towards us through His provision.
B. Who has shown His love towards us through His faithful promises.

3. Let's make this Thanksgiving Day be what it should be, truly a day of praise to God.