Give Thanks - Psalm 116:1-19

On Monday morning of this week I opened my email to find a beautiful picture made in color at Arlington’s Cemetery that was made while the President and several others behind the podium were [supposedly] honoring our Veterans. The President was the only person in the line that was not either saluting or holding their hand over their heart. It just so happens that our lesson today directs Christians to GIVE THANKS.

When carefully studied we fine that the objectives of our thanks should be God our creator and redeemer, our parents and friends, our country and it’s service men who protects us in harm’s way. My prayer is that God will have his will in dealing with any man, especially the President, who does not show honor and praise where they are due.

We have no direct reference telling us who wrote Psalm ll6 or the date of the writing. We do know that he had faced some hard times and even in the face of death he was still able to praise the Lord and give him thanks for things that were right that outweighed those that went wrong. The theme of this writing is a direct praise for his being saved from what appeared to be certain death. The writers praise was not intended in any way to be a payment for his being delivered but it was a thankful response for God’s love and concern.

We should be reminded that this is a proper way for us to respond regarding something good that has come to us. We are fortunate to have good neighbors that do neighborly deeds because they want to; it makes them feel good. They do not to expect us to pay them for their help; they do desire that we let them know our appreciation. They enjoy our praise of them; but may even feel put-down if we indicate that we want to pay them in a financial way. I have friends today that will voluntarily do hard and expensive work for me in my time of need and do not expect—will not accept anything as reimbursement.

Look at verse three and you will see that the writer could easily have said something like “I had cancer that has already destroyed a major part of my liver. The doctor gave me less than three months to live. My family and I went through the process of preparing for my burial. Those were the darkest days of our lives.” By this time in a life of trouble, many have given up hope and they have no time or energy left with which they can praise God. This man had an attitude of praise and used it. He called on the name of the Lord—“Oh Lord save me.” We can afford to do nothing less.

Our God is gracious and righteous and full of compassion. And though there are times when we must pass through some of those low valleys with cancer or arthritis that are incurable we must maintain an upright spirit and thank him for never placing more on us than we can bear.

Our unknown witness that must have been somewhere close to what we have just described above, found that he is in a predicament much like you and I often go through. What did he proclaim? He said, “I love you Lord, for you heard my cry for mercy. God opened his ear to me…he heard me! He turned his face and looked at me…he saw me personally and did not look away without making response.

Do you pray often? Is your prayer one of thankfulness and praise? Or does it reflect another need that you have encountered and do you continually request something new and different? If you will make a relevant inventory of your life’s wants and needs, you will find that the blessings you receive far outnumber the needs you seem to have. If we reflect on this fact it will soon occur that our prayer life is changing complexion. Ours prayer time will become overwhelmingly one of thanks and expressions of our love rather than a list of earthly needs.

Look at verse twelve and hear this man asking how he can repay the Lord for all of His goodness. Now hear his answers and a thought or two of mine. He said that he would lift up salvation—try to show others how to be saved. And that he would continually call on God—and that he would keep his vows…be truthful…do right. Now I help him answer by saying that God does not want to be repaid! Remember what I said about my good neighbor who does so much for me? He does not want to be paid. It hurts his feelings sometimes when I insist. He just wants me to appreciate him! Sometimes that is all God wants of us. Just praise him. Only thank him. Brag on him and what he has done for you so that others may learn who he is and that he wants to be a part of their life too.


TRIVIA sometimes is very important. We are studying chapter 116. The next two verses forms the shortest book in the bible. These verses say: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! And now…the 8th verse of 116 is the MIDDLE VERSE IN THE BIBLE; THE CENTER or HEART OF THE BIBLE. And it tells us to TRUST GOD…NOT…MAN!

Psalm 116, our lesson for today gives us an excellent picture of the ALL-SUFFICIENT GRACE of God. We have learned by studying the New Testament that Grace is stronger than any of our circumstances. For by Grace we are saved not of our works, to keep us from boasting that it was something that we had done on our own.

Is there a verse in the bible that says, “God helps those who help themselves?” I have heard this verse quoted several times and just assumed that it is really there. Be honest. How many of you think this is a verse in the bible? I think I have heard it a thousand times, and it sounds good to me. But there are two problems—unfortunately there are two issues at fault with this statement. First, it is not in the bible. Second, the theology of this supposed truism is also not in the bible. In fact, the bible teaches exactly the opposite. The truth is that God will always help those who can not help themselves. Another truth is that if we could help ourselves, we would not need God’s help. All of us are weak and in need of the grace of God. In John 15:5, Jesus told us that apart from him we can do nothing. The word nothing as he used it here means that we can not do anything of any eternal or spiritual value without the help of an eternal and spiritual leader.

Looking back we can see that this writer had some serious problems in his life. Knowing that we would have the same kind of problems he has let us know that his main response has been to always thank and continue to serve God. He emphasizes that God is not a deaf idol like the ones of stone that pagans serve. God bends low and listens to our needs…he hears and responds, therefore as long as we live we should continue to thank and praise him. Our love and appreciation should come first…but we may always feel free to go back to God for help in our next time of need.

The man in our lesson today had lived a life much like some of us who are getting older even today. He had faced some hard times that remind us of what happened to Paul as he attempted to serve. We are all in need of His sustaining grace. God bends low and hears us. He is ready to help us when we recognize our weakness and rely on his grace. This sounds like a contradiction and impossible; but when we are weak we are at our strongest place through the Grace of Christ. And through our weakness…His grace is made stronger as it is extended to us. Paul said in 2 Cor. that through our weakness his grace is made perfect.