SEASON OF THANKSGIVING
“O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good...This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” {Psalm 118:1, 24}
Psalms 113-118 are called Hallel Psalms, songs of praises and thanksgiving unto God. They were sung on the night of Passover. 113 and 114 was sung at the beginning of the meal, while 115 and 116 were sung at the close of it. Jesus sung these Psalms with His disciples in Matt. 26:30. They are still recited in Palestine eighteen times a year at various occasions, and twenty-one times yearly by those Jews outside the Holy Land
As King Solomon, the wise man rightly puts it in his wisdom book, thus, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” {Eccl. 3:1}. Indeed, you may have had times and seasons when it appeared there was no more life to live. You may have experienced times and seasons that you never dream to meet in your life time, very rough times you probably saw no factual reason of thanking anybody, even God! Times of sorrow, weeping, unanswered questions, confusion, hardship, pains, lack, disappointment and what have you. Times God did not merit your “thank you.” That season and times are all gone! Today, we have gathered together to say to our God THANK YOU OH, GOD ! This is our season for thanksgiving.
I. REASONS TO BE THANKFUL
The Psalmist in Psalm 113 - 118 gave several reasons they were thankful to God. And for want of space we will consider a very few of them.
None is like unto Him
He made some joyful mothers and fathers
The Red Sea fled, and River Jordan driven back
The Rock turned Into a Standing Water
He was Their Help and shield.
He was Mindful of Them.
He Heard Their Prayers prayed in Distress
He Delivered Their Soul from Death
I know you’ve been through hell. I know however that if you look around carefully, you will see tangible reasons to be thankful: life, His mercy, protection, care,
blessings, answered prayers, etc. Let us enter into His
gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.
II. WAYS TO EXPRESS THANKFULNESS
The worshipers of the old did set examples of the ways we can fruitfully express our thankfulness unto God, thus:
We Will Call on His Name {Ps.116:12, 13}
With Sounds of Singing {Isa. 51:3; Psa. 95:1, 2; 103}
With Instruments of Music
like when David brought up the Ark {I Chr. 15:16}
like when Solomon dedicated the temple{ II Chr.5:13}
like when Hezekiah restored the temple worship {2
Chr. 29:25-30}
With Dance {Psa. 149:3; 150:4}
like David danced {I Chr. 15:29 cf. 2 Sam 6:16}
With Our Substances; our HARVEST produce.
God commanded it through Moses {Lev. 23:10-11}
It is also called Ingathering {Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Deut.
16:9-11}. It’s a season of rejoicing. No body was to
come empty hand. {cf. Deut. 16:16}.
Harvest time is a happy time. Harvest time is a rest time {Ex.34:21-22}. Harvest time is a thanksgiving time. Let’s come forward before God singing, dancing, making melody with musical instruments and even with our hands. Let’s come with our substances rejoicing.
III. GAINS FROM THANKSGIVING/PRAISES
There are gains that are accruable from thanksgiving unto God. When we abandon complain and murmuring, and resort to joyful thanksgiving unto God, a lot of good things happen as shown in the scriptures. Let’s take but two examples:
Jehoshaphat Vs. Combined Forces {2 Chr. 20}
God is brought on board the battle front
Enemies are ambushed
They are turned against each other
Leaving all dead
With much spoil as blessing {Beracah}
Resulting to joy
Paul And Silas Praised In Prison {Acts 16:23-27}
There was a great earthquake
The foundation of the prison shook
All the doors were open
Every one’s bands were loosed
The jailer is saved
This is our season of thanksgiving. Let’s rise with all that we have to appreciate God, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever. Victory is very, very sure!
Congratulations.
