Sermon Tone Analysis

Being Thankful at Thanksgiving:

Being Grateful Through Affliction

Psalm 119:65-72

Note 1:

This, the longest psalm, is a meditation on the word of God in its many forms and functions.

The entire psalm is alphabetically arranged (acrostic).

The first stanza is labeled alef because each of the eight verses starts with a word that begins with that letter, the first of the alphabet.

The second stanza follows with the same arrangement using the second letter of the alphabet, bet; the rest of the psalm follows the same pattern through the alphabet.

This scheme certainly aided in memorizing the meditation (a “mnemonic” device); but it also was a way of ordering the thoughts to provide a complete meditation on the word of God—the “ABCs” about the law of the Lord.

Commentators have called the composition of psalms of this type “learned psalmography”; that is, inspiration combined with intense scholarship and literary skill.

Note 2:

Synonyms for the scriptures used in Psalm 119:

Law (tôrâ) (vs.

33) [This is the chief term of all, and is heard most often.

Its parent verb means ‘teach’ (verse 33) or ‘direct’; therefore coming from God it means both ‘law’ and ‘revelation’.

It can be used of a single command or of a whole body of law, especially the Pentateuch, or again of Scripture as a whole.]

Testimonies (ʿēdôt) (vs.

24) [Israel was told to place the book of the law beside the ark of the covenant, ‘that it may be there for a witness (ʿēd) against you’ (Deut.

31:26).]

Precepts (piqqūdîm) [This is a word drawn from the sphere of an officer or overseer, a man who is responsible to look closely into a situation and take action (cf.

Jer.

23:2, where God will ‘attend to’ (pōqēd) the shepherds who have not ‘attended to’ the flock).

So the word points to the particular instructions of the Lord, as of one who cares about detail.]

Statutes (ḥuqqîm) [These speak of the binding force and permanence of Scripture, as of laws ‘engraved’ or inscribed, ‘for the time to come as a witness for ever’ (cf.

Isa.

30:8).]

Commandments (miṣwôt) [This word emphasizes the straight authority of what is said; not merely the power to convince or persuade, but the right to give orders.]

Ordinances (mišpāṭîm) [These are better known in the Old Testament as ‘judgments’: the decisions of the all-wise Judge about common human situations (cf.

Exod.

21:1; Deut.

17:8a, 9b), and hence the revealed ‘rights and duties’ appropriate to them (as rsv puts it in 1 Sam.

10:25).

Scripture, then, as the standard given for fair dealing between man and man, is a predominant sense of this term.]

Word (dābār) [This is the most general term of all, embracing God’s truth in any form, stated, promised or commanded.]

Promise or word (ʾimrâ) [While similar to the previous word, its strict, literal translation is “to say,” and denotes the definiteness of what is spoken, hence the translation is accurately rendered “promise.”

INTRODUCTION:

At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings.

But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change?

A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks.

By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.

How can we develop an attitude of gratitude in times of affliction and trouble?

I- RESOLVE TO BELIEVE AND TRUST IN GOD.

(Psalm 119:65-66)

A- Resolve to believe God’s is trustworthy and good.

(Psalm 119:65)

B- Resolve to to believe God’s Word and seek to learn what it says.

(Psalm 119:66)

(Psalm 119:105)

II- RECEIVE THE SITUATION AS COMING FROM GOD.

(Psalm 119:67-68)

A- Recognize that affliction and pain are not necessarily negative.

(Psalm 119:67)

B- Recognize that affliction is often the way that we learn the most valuable lessons that God can teach us.

(Psalm 119:68)

III- RELINQUISH CONTROL TO GOD IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

(Psalm 119:69-70)

A- Reject the urge to manipulate your circumstances

1- While we may have the urge to attempt to manipulate our own circumstances because of maliciousness or ineptness of people around us, we must choose to relinquish control or our circumstances to God.

B- Choose to obey God enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.

1- The best way to demonstrate faith in God is to continue to obey His Word in the midst of affliction.

IV- REQUEST STRENGTH FROM GOD FOR THE SITUATION.

(Psalm 119:71-72)

A- Confess to the Lord that you recognize and accept His instructions in your situation.

1- Recognizing the value of the lessons God teaches us during our afflictions enables us to be able to give thanks in and for them.

2- As we understand the value of the lessons we are learning and will learn in affliction enables us to approach and endure these hardships with joy and expectation.

(Romans 5:3-5)

B- Ask God for His strength to sustain you and enable your obedience.

(Psalm 119:76-77)

1- We need to actively seek God’s presence and mercies to provide strength during our afflictions.

One of the greatest assets we can possess during affliction is not removal from the circumstance, but a conscious awareness that God is present with us and that He is using everything for our good— to help us become more like Jesus!

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

CONCLUSION:

Hymn Lyrics to “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

1

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free.

2

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conqu’rors we are!

3

His Word shall not fail you, He promised;

Believe Him and all will be well;

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,  

 In the light of His glory and grace.