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THE CONFIDENCE OF THANKSGIVING (41 OF 52)

by Christopher Harbin

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-9
This content is part of a series.


The Confidence of Thanksgiving (41 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part Three
Christopher B. Harbin
Psalm 118:1-9


We gather together on Thanksgiving to reflect on all the blessings of God bestowed on us. We think back to stories we have heard of native peoples supplying the pilgrims with food to enable their survival through a bleak winter. We gather to celebrate harvest and rejoice in knowing that God has provided for us. We gather to join our hearts with one another, to remember that all good things come from God who sends wind, rain, and sunshine for the benefit of all. We gather to remind ourselves that we indeed depend upon God. Is it a formality, or are our lives truly built on the confidence declared in our practices of Thanksgiving?

The psalmist begins his words with a declaration that Yahweh is indeed good, that steadfast love is God's essential character. John Wesley would likely have used the term grace if writing this psalm. The concept is essentially the same. God is good, because God is gracious. God is gracious, because God is loving. God is loving, because God is gracious. God is gracious, because God deals in goodness and love toward all persons, nations, and peoples.

Israel had a history of dealings with Yahweh. Throughout that history, Yahweh had been nothing but good to Israel, whether we are speaking of Israel's priests, the Levites, or the rank and file of all its tribes, including the immigrants who had attached themselves to the nation. Jointly, they had a singular declaration to make. Yahweh is good, steadfast, unwavering in love and compassion. Yahweh was always at hand when the people were facing peril or distress. All too often, however, we find that seeking Yahweh's assistance was a last resort.

In the days of Gideon, the prophets called Israel to trust in Yahweh's deliverance, but it took a special intervention for Gideon to place his life in Yahweh's hands. In the days of Moses, the people were reticent to trust Yahweh to ...

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