Joseph, Jehoshaphat, and Squanto

O Give Thanks to the Lord!

(Psalm 136, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 22, 2015)

(1-3) We thank You Lord for who You are, ...

[136:1] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[2] Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[3] Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Someone mentioned to me recently that Thanksgiving has been completed swamped by the new American holiday called “Black Friday.” All of our cultural practices can easily be overshadowed by a spirit of retail commercialism. While the American celebration of Thanksgiving is not mandated by the Scriptures, it is not a practice that we should throw away. The only holy day that we have as New Testament Christians is Sunday, the weekly celebration of the beginning of the Age of Resurrection. But every culture has its own accepted practices which touch on values that may be both commendable and biblical.

As we celebrate the traditions that are a part of our American heritage, we should remember who is the author of every good gift. We are not thanking nothingness. Our thanks go to the great I-AM, the Lord. First, we join ancient Israel, who used the psalm at temple dedication, in thanking God for who He is. Our God is good, He is supreme as the “God of gods and the Lord of lords.”

(4-20) … and for what You have done, ...

[4] to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[5] to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[6] to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[7] to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[8] the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[9] the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[10] to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[11] and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[12] with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[13] to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[14] and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[15] but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[16] to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[17] to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[18] and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[19] Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[20] and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Second, we thank God for what He has done. He created the world. He also gave His people new life by bringing them out of slavery in Egypt. The Lord distinguished between Israel and their enemies. Israel passed through the Red Sea on dry land, but the Egyptians were overthrown by the waters of judgment. God killed mighty kings, but He led Israel through the wilderness.

(21-26) … and for how You take care of us.

[21] and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[22] a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[23] It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[24] and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
[25] he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[26] Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Third, we thank God not only for who He is and for what He has done. We thank Him for how He has taken care of His beloved elect—even us. He gave the land of Canaan to His chosen servants. He remembered them in their “low estate.” He preserved their lives.

This God of Israel fed not only the descendants of Jacob. “He gives food to all flesh.” If Israel had strong reasons to celebrate a time of Thanksgiving, the nations of the earth have even more in our day. We should give thanks to the God of heaven, for “to eternity is his covenant faithfulness” (literal). See Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:21 for use in worship and warfare.

The people of the Old Testament heard about the steadfast love of God, but we have seen the fulfillment of this great covenant keeping love in the life and death of Jesus for us. To all who would receive Him, who believe in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God

We should embrace habits of thanksgiving by embracing what is good in all that has been given to us. Do not get swept away by the siren call of the commercial Babylon. Continue to remember the ultimate God of covenant faithfulness. His love endures forever. [Squanto as a “Joseph”]

Old Testament Reading—Genesis 3:14-15, 12:1-3

Gospel Reading—Luke 1:1-25 – Birth of John Foretold