Give Thanks to God!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)
How should we celebrate Thanksgiving? Especially today, on this Thanksgiving Sunday, what should we do? We should give thanks to God. What are you thankful for to God?
As we reflect on this year, I want us to all give thanks to God together during today’s Thanksgiving Sunday service. Although this year, not only in the United States but globally, there have been economic difficulties, and they still persist, let us all look to God and give thanks in spite of these circumstances. Why should we give thanks to God? There are two reasons:
First, we should give thanks because God is good.
Do you believe that God is good? If you answered “Yes” or “Amen,” do you believe that God is always good? If you are facing difficult times right now, can you still confess that God is good in the midst of them? When I look back on this year, I believe that God has revealed His goodness to our church family. Because God is good, He must do good for us. Therefore, I believe that even through the various events of this year, God has worked all things together for good, and He is still doing so. So, let us all give thanks to God, believing in His goodness. God is good (하나님은 선하십니다). All the times! (항상요!)
Second, we should give thanks because God's mercy (love) is eternal.
The economic difficulties we face or any other troubles are temporary, at most lasting seventy or eighty years. Of course, they may not last that long. But the love God has for you and me is not limited to seventy or eighty years. God’s love is eternal. God loved us and chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). And God has given us the precious gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8). Furthermore, God has allowed us to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Therefore, God has given us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). If we understand even a little of God’s eternal love, how could we not give thanks? Especially, when I look back on this year, the reason I want to thank God is because of the love He has revealed to us through His word. In other words, I have experienced God’s love through His word, and I continue to experience that love through His word, which is why I give thanks. This year’s slogan, “The Year of Meditating on the Word,” means that as you read, listen to, meditate on, and study God’s word throughout the year, you will experience the grace God has given you. I have briefly summarized three points of God's love I have experienced through that grace:
(1) God gave me strength through His Word.
In particular, God strengthened me by adding more faith through the Word in Romans.
(2) God guided me through His Word.
Especially through the Psalms, God led me to pray with faith in His divinity as God, and through that, He guided me.
(3) God gave me hope by allowing me to hear the greatest news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through His Word.
Not only did God sanctify my soul through His Word, but He also allowed me to meditate more deeply on Jesus Christ through His Word, giving me hope.
As you look back on this year, how do you feel? As we remember the grace God has given us while meditating on His Word, let us all give thanks to God. Our God is good. His mercy (love) toward us is eternal. Therefore, let us all offer praise and worship to God with hearts full of gratitude.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)
With a heart full of thanks to God,
Pastor James Kim
(Relying on God's goodness and mercy)