Tag Archives: thanksgiving

The Storms of Life

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Reading the Word

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.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm calls for different groups to give thanks to God. In the verses for today, we read of those who have found themselves caught in the raging storms upon the sea. When their lives seemed to be at the end they cried out to God for help and he saved them.

It is often in the darkest times of our lives that we call out to God. In times of trouble, even those who are not concerned about God or the Bible will often pray and ask for God to save them from their troubles. In his grace, God often gives us the deliverance that we desire. However, how often do we stop to give thanks to God for such grace towards us? Often, as soon as the danger has passed, so has our focus on God. Let us not forget the things that God has done for us, but let us praise him in thanksgiving and tell of his goodness to everyone.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

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Fools, Sin, and Thanksgiving

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Reading the Word

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!

Understanding and Applying the Word

The third group that God has delivered are described as “fools through their sinful ways”. Though they were foolish in their sin, when they cried out to God he delivered them. The right response is to praise God in thanksgiving.

When we consider our own lives, it is an amazing thing that God, who is holy, would save any of us. We are sinful. Scripture says that we have all fallen short and rightfully deserve condemnation and death for our sin. Yet, when we call out to God, he responds in grace and love. He gives us salvation through the atoning sacrifice of his Son, who died as a payment for our sins. God gives foolish sinners eternal life. If you have not done so, call out to him today. He will save. And then let us offer our thanksgiving!

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

Thank You, God

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Reading the Word

Psalm 104:14–18 (ESV)

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth 15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. 16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

Understanding and Applying the Word

God is not only the Creator of all things, but the sustainer also. He gives grass for livestock, plants for mankind, water for the trees, trees for the birds, mountains for the goats, and rocks for the badgers. God is not a God who is distant and far, but a God who is intimately involved in his creation from day to day.

When we understand the truth that God gives us all that we have, we need to respond in thanksgiving. This is why Christians have made a habit of pausing before eating to offer prayers of thanksgiving to God. Meals are a natural time for such prayers because as we prepare to eat, we are reminded of the daily provision of our basic needs. Take the time to thank God for what he does every day for you. Find regular times to do this such as meal times. Let your thanks be known.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

Know that the Lord, He Is God!

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Reading the Word

Psalm 100:1–5 (ESV)

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Understanding and Applying the Word

The heading for this psalm states that it is “a psalm for giving thanks.” All of the earth is called to gather before God and sing his praises because it is the Lord who is the Creator, who is our Shepherd, and because he is good.

The words of this psalm are well-known to many of us because they have been incorporated into so many songs through the years. It is a wonderful psalm to remind us of the core reasons we gather to worship with other believers. God is good. God is faithful. And God’s steadfast love is forever. No matter what we may be going through, when we remember these truths, our hearts are moved to worship and sing songs of joyous praise. Let us give thanks!

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

A Joyful Noise

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Reading the Word

Psalm 95:1–4 (ESV)

1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

Understanding and Applying the Word

“I will enter his gates with thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter his courts with praise.” We often sing these words in our churches, but do our hearts match our words? “The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods,” says the psalmist. We have reason to praise and be thankful.

Why do you worship? Why do you gather with other Christians to sing songs of praise? Hopefully, it is not just tradition, but because you are so filled with thanksgiving that you cannot help yourself. When we fully grasp that the Lord is the Creator and is sovereign over all things, and when we fully grasp that God loves us so much that he gave his only Son as a sacrifice for our sin, we should want to praise him! The God of the universe cares about you and me! Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

It Is Good to Give Thanks

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Give Thanks

Reading the Word

Psalm 92:1–4 (ESV)

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Here we read about the goodness of worship. We read that it is good to “give thanks”, “to sing praises”, and “to declare”. These three things are the external acts of worship, which are a response to the works of God.

Worship is always a response to the acts of God. The psalmist writes in verse 4, “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” It is indeed good for us to worship the Lord because doing so reminds us of all that God has done for us. He is a great God who is worthy of our praise! Let us give thanks, sing praises, and declare his great deeds to all!

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!