THE THANKSGIVING SONG

(Psalm 100)

...In 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated the very first “Day of _Thanksgiving__” just about one year after they had

    arrived.  These godly people had suffered much in England.  They came to America to be able to freely

    worship God.

            -This small band of 102 passengers sailed for 65 days - a late Fall crossing.

            -Four died during the trip!  Much sickness.

            -Most terrible of all, one half of the remainder __died__ during the first winter, which Governor

             Bradford called, “The Starving Time.”  Only 16 men survived and all but a few women perished.

...Today, easy living has __softened__ us so that we probably lack the spiritual vitality to give this quality of

    thanks in the face of such trouble and sorrow.  But not the Pilgrims.

...Psalm 100 is the _only__ Psalm that is titled “for giving thanks.”  It is called “the 100th,” and has been

    loved by God’s people through time.

TWO STANZAS INVITING YOU TO GIVE PROPER THANKSGIVING TO THE LORD.

I.   YOU ARE CALLED TO GIVE EXUBERANT THANKS TO THE LORD FOR  __WHAT___  HE

      HAS DONE.  (vv 1-3)

            A. The Psalmist tells us __how__ to give this thanksgiving to God. (v 1-2)  Three ways:

                        1. We are told “to __shout__” this for joy.

                                    a. Seems strange? The Hebrew means, “glad shout.”

                                    b. The emphasis is upon “gladness.”

                                         ...Praise God loudly because you are __happy___ with Him!

                        2. We are to __serve__ (worship).  We show our thanks to God by serving.

                        3. We express our thanksgiving by _gathering__ with God’s people and worshipping Him

                             together.

            B. We are told why we must give God thanks. (v3)

                 ...There are two things we must __know___ about God.

                        1. He is our __Creator__ - our maker.

                                    a. We must know Him, and when we do, we know ourselves.

                                    b. When we do not know God as Creator, we __imagine__ that we are

                                         our own creators. (Evolution)

                        2. He is our __Redeemer__ - our re-maker.

                                    a. We are “His people.” We belong to Him!

                                    b. We are “His sheep.”  We are His to do with as seems __best___ to Him.

II.  YOU ARE INVITED TO THANKFULLY PRAISE HIM FOR  __WHO___  HE IS.  (vv 4-5)

            A. An invitation is again offered to join together and give thanks to God (v 4)

                        1. “Enter” - This command calls us as God’s people to participate in gathered worship.

                           ...This is not _private__ worship, but rather the whole assembly is to give thanks

                               and praise.

                        2. One way we can thank God is by _inviting__ others to join us in going to church.

            B. The final explanation is given for this and focuses upon the character of God. (v 5)

                        1. God is _good___.

                                    a. The heathen gods were not good.

                                    b. The Bible tells us that God is good. (Ps 34:8)

                        2. God is love.  This endures forever!

                        3. God is __faithful__.  What a comfort to know.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. The Lord desires you to thank Him from the depths of your heart.

2. Everyday should be a thanksgiving day for you.

3. You cannot praise God in ignorance.

4. Write down the many blessings God sends your way.

5. Come to the Savior and be saved today.