Why God's People Should be Thankful

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John MacArthur tells the real life story of man with AIDS who was saved before his death as a result of hearing this Psalm read in a worship service

written after having been delivered by God out of terrible circumstances

giving thanks or offering thanksgiving 6x in this Psalm

Many NT references identify thankfulness as a distinctly Christian trait. (, ; ; Php 4:6-7)

in context of dealing with remaining sin

as we put to death the sins of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk and and lying we are to put on the new self which includes the virtues of compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, love and peace and being thankful

Colossians 3:15 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

the parallel passage from Ephesians

Ephesians 5:17–21 ESV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

among Paul’s final instructions in his first letter to the Thessalonian church

Eph 5:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

when dealing with conflict in the Philippian church,

1 Th

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 th 5:16-

Of all the people in the world Christians should be the most thankful!

read as the reason for our gratitude

as I read I want you to think about what God has done

is a call to thankfulness because of God’s mercy and grace to those he has redeemed

that steadfast love is forever

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

written for Israel after being delivered by God out of captivity

written after having been delivered by God out of terrible circumstances

giving thanks or offering thanksgiving occurs 6x in this Psalm

written for Israel after being delivered by God out of captivity

contains 4 illustrations of God’s redemption

1st, God’s redemption is for those who are lost

2nd, God’s redemption is for those who are imprisoned and enslaved

3rd, God’s redemption is for those who are sick and on the brink of death

4th, God’s redemption is for those who are in a life threatening storm

each is a picture God’s saving grace

each shows how he rescued his people, and how he continues to rescue repentant sinners

John MacArthur divides each picture into 4 parts: Their Plight, Their Petition, Their Pardon, Their Praise

each provides a picture of the kinds of situations sinners find themselves in

each provides a picture of God’s willingness and power to rescue and deliver

The Lost

This is the sinner wandering with no direction, restless, hungry, thirsty, desperate for safety and security.

looking for satisfaction but never finding it

looking for security and protection, fellowship, safety

Their Plight

Ps 107:

Psalm 107:4–5 ESV

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

Psalm 107:4–5 ESV

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

a picture of the Israelites wandering for 40 yrs in the wilderness under the judgment of God where a whole generation died

also describes any lost sinner, wandering aimlessly, struggling to find satisfaction, lasting joy and contentment and never finding it

they are wandering the trackless desert of sin, hopelessly pursuing the dead-end promises of the world, their flesh and the devil

They are perishing in that wilderness, looking to satisfy their hunger and thirst.

Their Petition

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

- Israel cried out over and over again in her trouble and trial and the Lord heard them

Israel cried out to God over and over again in her trouble and trial and the Lord heard them

they confessed their sin, they admitted their failure and God graciously responded

they are an illustration of sinners who recognize their lostness, their hunger, their thirst and that the world does not have the answers

they see the futility of their lives going from thrill to thrill, from job to job, from relationship to relationship, from marriage to marriage, from thing to thing, from experience to experience

in their futile efforts to find lasting contentment they finally realize they need God!

They come to understand that only God can satisfy their deepest longings.

so they cry out to him in their lostness and hunger and thirst

they turn to God as the king of a glorious city where there is an abundance of food and water and shelter and peace and security and fellowship

how does God respond to their cry?

Their Pardon

… and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.

and he delivered them from their distress.

- when the Israelites cried out to God he answered

7 He led them by a straight way

when the Israelites cried out to God he answered

till they reached a city to dwell in. - when the Israelites cried out to God he answered

though their situation seemed hopeless they were redeemed

so too, when the lost sinner cries out to God he answers

this is all about God’s lovingkindness

there is no working to earn God’s favour, no trying to straighten out their life

all they did was cry out to God in their trouble

they are nothing, they bring nothing, they have nothing to offer

all they said was, “I am desperate, please save me!”

God responds with pardon and that is grace.

unmerited, unearned, undeserved kindness

and it says in v.7 that God led them by a straight way

this means that it was a good road, without twist and turns and detours, a road without steep mountain passes or treacherous ravines

reminds us of Jesus’ words in

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

when the sinner receives such a glorious pardon what is their response?

Their Praise

- vv.8-9

Psalm 107:8–9 ESV

8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

we were hungry and thirsty in the barren land of sin, we were lost, we didn’t know where to turn, we had no direction, no hope of finding our own way

- we cried out to God and he gave us everything we needed

We cried out to God and he gave us everything we needed!

and what is our response but to give thanks for God’s amazing grace!

what is that place of peace and safety and provision and refuge?

it is heaven and eternal life

We are on the road to heaven with the sure and certain hope of eternal life. (Rev 21:4)

listen to how it’s described in

Revelation 21:4 ESV

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

though we haven’t yet reached that place God has given us all the help and the resources we need to ensure that we get there

The Prisoner

Their Plight

Psalm 107:10–12 ESV

Psalm 107:10 ESV

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,

- read vv. 10-16

a prisoner in a dungeon waiting to be put to death

- a prisoner in a dungeon waiting to be put to death

darkness: there’s no light

shadow of death: they are about to be executed

affliction: they are being tormented

irons: they are chained up

why are they in such a terrible place?

Psalm 107:11–12 ESV

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.

- v.11-12

because they rebelled against God they were given into the hands of their enemies and made captives

rebellion against God was a sin that Israel committed against God over and over again

This is also a poignant picture of sinners experiencing the misery of their rebellion against God.

they’ve rebelled, they’ve disobeyed, they’ve disregarded God’s Word and as a result they find themselves enslaved to all kinds of wretched passions and desires

chained to their sins, they cannot see the light of freedom, they are tormented by the consequences of their foolish choices

life is very hard and hopeless (Job 14:1)

All who reject God will find out that this is what a life without him is like either in this life or the next.

no matter how hard he tries to be his own master and the captain of his own ship he will never find the freedom and joy he is desperately seeking

enslaved to lusts and passions they become their chains and their tormentors, always promising and never delivering

all the enslaved sinner has to look forward to is death

in that condition we come to the Petition

Their Petition

this is where every slave of sin must come

Ps 107:13a Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

- in their hopelessness with only the prospect of death they have nowhere else to turn!

In their hopelessness with only the prospect of death they have nowhere else to turn but to the Lord!

Their Pardon

and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

and he delivered them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

this is pure grace!

- this is pure grace!

and burst their bonds apart. - this is pure grace!

this person had nothing left but a wrecked life!

at the command of the Redeemer the prisoner’s chains fell off, they’re brought out of their prison into the light, they’re freed from his torment

God does all this in spite of all that the sinner had done against him

this was the subject of Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus in

Isaiah 42:6–7 ESV

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

God is ready, willing and able to set any prisoner free who will cry out to him! (Isa 42:6-7)

he does it for no other reason than that they ask!

if you are a sinner and realize you are in a prison what can you do?

cry out to God and ask for freedom

ask God to forgive your sins

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

leads to 4th part

Their Praise

Psalm 107:15–16 ESV

15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Ps 107:15-16

Those for whom God shatters the doors of bronze and cuts the bars of iron thank the Lord for giving them freedom. ()

the response to such free and amazing grace is gratitude

The Sick

this is the 3rd picture of the sad state of the sinner

Their Plight

Psalm 107:17–18 ESV

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

- vv17-18

example of Israel in

God sent poisonous snakes among them for their sin so that many died

when they repented God had Moses make a serpent and put it on a pole so that all who looked at it would be healed

a sad picture of the sinner who is sick and near to death

they suffer affliction because of their sinful ways

as they persist in their sin they eventually lose all hope of life and reject the very thing that can save them, the living Word of God

like the those near death who stop eating this tells us how severe their spiritual illness was

They refuse the spiritual bread that can give them life and as a result their death is imminent. ()

some sinners in this desperate state cry out to God

Their Petition

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

- remember that they were fools loving their sinful ways

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, - remember that they were fools loving their sinful ways

They were fools, loving their sinful ways, having rejected and spurned God’s instructions and warnings.

they had rejected and spurned God’s instructions and warnings

now in their desperation they cry out to the Lord

why would he listen to such fools?

and if he did answer that would not be fair!

but that is grace!

Their Pardon

but that is grace!

… and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them,

he delivered them out of their distress just as he did the lost and the prisoner!

- he delivered them out of their distress just as he did the lost and the prisoner!

and delivered them from their destruction. - he delivered them out of their distress just as he did the lost and the prisoner!

why did he do so?

because they asked

that is grace, undeserved mercy and kindness

they cried out

they didn’t give an offering, they didn’t go to church, they didn’t clean up their lives

When sinners realize they are lost, prisoners to sin and sick unto death and they cry out to God, he pardons!

Their Praise

Ps 107:

Psalm 107:21–22 ESV

21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Psalm 107:21–22 ESV

21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

- this is what we do when we gather together each Sunday worship

this is what we do when we gather together each Sunday worship

we are here because of the mercy and grace of God

we were lost but have been found

we were slaves but now we are free

we were sick but now we are healed

and what better response to our kind and merciful Father but praise, worship and thanksgiving!

We are a group of redeemed sinners thanking and praising God for his salvation!

The Storm Tossed

not only were we lost, prisoners, sick unto death but we were about to drown in a great storm

we were lost, miserable, sick and and now fearful

This portrays the terror of sinners who are afraid of death.

while most drown in their sin some cry out

Their Plight

Psalm 107:23–27 ESV

- vv.23-27

the fury and violence of the storm brings them to utter despair and hopelessness

- the fury and violence of the storm brings them to utter despair and hopelessness

examples of Jonah, the disciples (Mk 4:35-41) and Paul ()

some might picture in their minds the Titanic sinking into the depths of the frigid Atlantic Ocean but with no life boats!

the terror comes because of all the time you have to think about your death but are powerless to do anything to stop it!

so it says, “terror seized their hearts”

so it is with every sinner who sees his doom

The storms of life cause terror in the awakened sinner.

Their Petition

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

- they have no human hope of rescue

they have no hope of rescue

apart from divine intervention they are doomed

In that place of hopelessness they cry out to God to rescue them.

Their Pardon

and again, what is God’s response?

… and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He made the storm be still,

- instantly, in a moment God cause the storm to be still, the waves to cease, the wind to stop and the rain to quit beating on them

instantly, in a moment God caused the storm to be still, the waves to cease, the wind to stop and the rain to quit beating on them

and the waves of the sea were hushed. - instantly, in a moment God cause the storm to be still, the waves to cease, the wind to stop and the rain to quit beating on them

and it says in v.30

Psalm 107:30 ESV

30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

God guides the lost, God frees the prisoner, God heals the sick and God saves the sinner from disaster.

all that was required was to call upon him

God takes people who see that their lives are going nowhere, who understand that they are enslaved to evil passions and desires, who recognize they are dying without hope, who are terrorized by the storms of life and in every case he hears their cry

they were headed to hell and they called on him

and such were some of you

you called out to him and he heard your cry

and what is our response?

Their Praise

- vv.31

Psalm 107:31 ESV

31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

such is the attitude of all who have been redeemed by the Lord

we were those people: wanderers, prisoners, mortally sick and in grave danger

we have been graciously rescued and the all we can do is give thanks

and so we can say of ourselves what the Psalmist says in vv.32-42

We are filled with gratitude because Jesus took our place, paid for our sins, died the death we deserved to die and then gave to us his righteousness.

if you have not yet cried out to God but can identify with one or all of the pictures I urge you to call out to merciful and gracious God and I guarantee that if you do, you will leave this place more thankful than you have ever been in your whole life!

Isaiah 55:6–7 ESV

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Psalm 107:1–3 ESV

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Ps 107:

a song of thanks to God for his goodness and steadfast love

“the redeemed”

a song to be sung by those who have experienced God’s redemption from the hands of their enemies

“from the lands”

this is one of the curses of the covenant for unfaithfulness to the Lord

God said he would banish them, that he would send them into exile for being unfaithful to him and his Word

a curse for turning away from him and his law

God also promised that he would restore them if they repented and turned back to him

even if they were scattered to the 4 corners of the earth he would bring them home

the Psalmist identifies 4 kinds of trouble out of which the Lord rescued his people

the first and fourth appear to be trouble cause by external events

insurance policies: acts of war, insurrection, terrorism not covered

acts of God are!

the second and third are the result of sin

in each case the Lord is to be thanked for his steadfast love and kind provision

The Wanderer

Psalm 107:4–9 ESV

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Ps 107:4-

what kind of people wander in desert places?

we’re not told why they were wandering but we can make some educated guesses at what leads people to wander in places where there is no food or water

refugees fleeing from war, oppression, famine, poverty

travellers who have gotten lost

however I don’t think the Psalmist is thinking of these situations

look at what he says in v.5, “their soul fainted within them”

and in v.9: “he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills”

the kind of wanderers the Psalmist has in mind are those who are suffering from soul thirst and soul hunger

they are those who have found that the things of the world, the pleasures of this world do not satisfy

Jesus addressed those kinds of people in

John 7:37 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

quote from

Isaiah 55:1–2 ESV

1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Isa 55:

what is the Lord’s response when his people cry out to him when they realize they have been loving the world and the things of the world?

“he delivered them from their distress” (v.6)

“he led them by a straight way” (v.7)

“he satisfies the longing soul” (v.9)

“the hungry soul he fills with good things” (v.9)

the response:

Psalm 107:8 ESV

8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

The Prisoner

Ps 107:10-

Psalm 107:10–16 ESV

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. 13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

here is another kind of trouble out of which the Lord delivers his people

those in prison, those consigned to hard labour (v.12)

those who had fallen down in their exhaustion with no one to help (v.12)

sounds a lot like their experience when enslaved in Egypt

how did God’s people find themselves in such a terrible place???

they rebelled against the words … spurned the counsel (v.11)

in faithfulness to the covenant he “bowed their hearts down with hard labour”

God gave them his Word, his laws, statutes, commands, testimonies

God sent them his judges and prophets

God assigned priests to teach

- the beauty and glory of God’s Word

- Moses commanded the Israelites to obey and warned them of the consequences

though God was faithful to fulfill the curses of the covenant he was also faithful to fulfill the blessings

Deuteronomy 4:29–31 ESV

29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

Dt 4:29-

so we read,

Psalm 107:13–14 ESV

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

Ps 107:13

some of you here this morning have experienced God’s mercy and grace, freeing you from the bondage caused by rebellion, spurning the Word of God

some of you are still there

if you are the Lord waits to be gracious to you

if you will repent of your rebellion the Lord will be gracious to you as well and you too will be able to thank the Lord when he frees you from your bondage

The Rebel

Psalm 107:17–22 ESV

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Ps 107:

in some ways the cause of this kind of wandering is the same as the previous

“fools” according Proverbs are those whose ways are sinful

their pattern of life is ungodly, is not marked by righteousness and holiness

their sinful ways brought upon them

affliction

loss of appetite

illness or disease which threatened to kill them

addictions often cause these symptoms!

what does God do with his people cry out to him because they are suffering the consequences of their sinful choices?

he delivers from distress, he heals, he delivers from destruction

The Distressed

Psalm 107:23–32 ESV

23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.