Thanks … for Everything!

Thanks … for Everything!
John R. Petrilli

I often find myself using this phrase to express my appreciation in a comprehensive way. It often involves having been the recipient of someone’s splendid and gracious hospitality. While expressing one’s gratitude in this way is perfectly legitimate, such a carte blanche approach can sometimes miss the blessing of itemizing those things we’re so appreciative of. As the old gospel song reminds, as we count our many blessings, naming them one by one, our hearts will overflow with gratitude for ALL that God has done. It’s November, and God has been drawing me to Psalm 136. It’s a Psalm that sounds a repetitive note of gratitude throughout. The Psalmist literally thanks God for everything. With this in mind, let’s break it down and find a cornucopia of reasons for thanksgiving.

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACIOUS CHARACTER.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is GOOD.” Psalm 136:1-2

The highest compliment we can pay to someone is to recognize their character. There’s a vast difference between expressing appreciation to someone for what they’ve done, and expressing appreciation for who they are. A bad person, for that matter, can do good deeds for all the wrong reasons. But an individual of good character acts out of who they are. If there was ever a person who deserved praise for who they are, it would be God. After all, He’s perfectly good. And He’s perfectly good all the time. He never does anything that isn’t motivated by His goodness in some way or other. He does good, not because He wants to make a positive impression, but because it’s who He really is. Before the Psalmist ticks off the ways that God has blessed His people, he lets us know that God’s many acts of mercy and love flow from a heart that wants the very best for each one of His children.

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR HIS CREATIVE GENIUS.

“Give thanks to Him who does great wonders, who made the heavens, who spread out the earth, who made the great lights, the sun, the moon and stars. Psalm 136:3-9

It’s been said that life in a big city can mitigate against one’s faith. The tall buildings block the beautiful sunsets and star-studded night skies. In such an environment it can be easy to lose one’s awareness of God. All the natural reminders He’s set in place become virtually invisible. No such problem existed in the ancient world, as the vast majority of folks lived in small towns made up of one-story dwellings with low rooflines. The heavens with all their beauty were just a glance away. The same God who is good has manifested that goodness in creating a living environment that is nothing short of breath-taking. That good God does really good work, and has deemed it fit to display His handiwork for all on earth to see and enjoy. Our culture recognizes and applauds those who have put their creative capabilities to good use. That’s what I think is taking place here as the psalmist reflects on the wonderful artistry composed by the Creator of the cosmos.

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR DELIVERING YOU FROM BONDAGE.

“Give thanks to Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, and brought Israel out from among them, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” Psalm 136:10-12

On September ___ the nation if Iran decided to free two Americans who had mistakenly wandered over the Iraqi border into their territory. They were being charged with, of all things, spying. Two years and millions of ransom dollars later, they’re now free. When interviewed by western reporters the two young men didn’t hesitate to describe the isolation and deprivation they suffered. Their friend who had been arrested with them had been released a year earlier, and the reunion with her fiancé and friend was jubilant. All the family members were likewise ecstatic. Now, imagine what it would have felt like to the Israelites to bet released from 40 years of captivity. Year after year, generation after generation they watched their people moan and groan under the crushing bondage of Egyptian slavery. It was all work and no play. It was all work and no pay. What a loathsome lot in life. All that finally ended when God lifted His mighty hand to let His people go.

God’s Word says that each of us in born in a state of bondage. It’s not a bondage of the body, but of the soul and spirit. Satan is the slavemaster, and sin is the shackle. Together they exact their price in pain and suffering. But God sent Jesus to “set the captive free” (see Isa. 61:1, cf. Luke 4:18). Just as God provided a way for the people of Israel to get out of physical bondage, so God has made a way out of spiritual bondage for us. Jesus’ death unlocked the prison gates of sin, and made our escape possible. “Jesus shared in (our) humanity so that, by His death, He might destroy him who has the power of death – that is, the devil – and free all those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) Paul puts it this way, “God has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.” (2 Cor. 1:10) The Israelites had to act on what God had done for them and advance out of Egypt. Likewise, we must act on what God’s done to deliver us through His Son if we’re to experience freedom from sin’s bondage. So, are you free?

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR INTERVENING IN YOUR LIFE.

“Give thanks to the Lord … who divided the Red Sea asunder, and brought Israel through the midst of it, but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea”. Psalm 136:13-15

Ever been at a major crossroads in your life? That’s where the children of Israel found themselves as they reached the banks of the Red Sea. It was the ultimate “catch 22”. If they advance, they drown. If they don’t advance, they’ll be cut down in short order by a mighty army closing in on their rearguard. Some cried out in fear for their lives. But Moses calmed them down, and encouraged them to let God solve the dilemma. Next came a miracle. God pushed back the waters and made a pathway for them to traverse to the other side on dry ground. There wasn’t a drop of water on their clothes. Not so for the Egyptian army. They screamed in terror as the towering walls of aqua came crashing down, swallowing them alive. How has God intervened in your life this past year? A near miss on the road with your car? Help from a friend to keep you from going under financially? Take stock of this … and thank God for preserving your life.

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR FAITHFULLY PROVIDING FOR YOU.

“Give thanks to Him who led His people through the desert.” Psalm 136:16

If you’ve ever taken the wrong exit in New York City, then you have an idea of the frustration of going around in circles. The city is so big that taking one wrong exit can put you on a superhighway that leads you to an entirely different borough, many miles from where you wanted to be. Believe me, I know. My dad and my brothers and I made that mistake a time or two. Israel’s “Waterloo” came when they balked at entering the promised land. That one wrong turn resulted in four long decades of aimless meandering in a desert that was as unforgiving as it was unattractive. But God was good, even when the folks rebelled against His benevolent plan for them. They never ran out of food, never needed new shoes (where would the leather come from?), and never went without drinking water. How’s that for provision? If you made a wrong turn in your walk with God, if you get things right, just watch Him work it out for good. And He’ll even take care of you in the meantime!

THIS THANKSGIVING DON’T FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL VICTORIES.

“Give thanks to the Lord, who struck down great kings, and killed mighty kings, and gave their land as an inheritance.” Psalm 136:17-18, 21

Once the Israelites found the right exit ramp, they were back on the road to the promised land. Having taken possession of that land of prosperity and opportunity, they were then charged with uprooting and dispossessing the godless tribes who inhabited it. God enabled them to vanquish these obstacles to their blessing and inheritance. Just because we’re saved, that does not mean we live on “Easy Street”. There are attitudes, motives and values that all need to be booted out of our lives. Robert Boyd Munger’s little booklet, “My Heart, Christ’s Home” is the best description of sanctification I’ve ever read. It’s all about the house-cleaning of our hearts that the Lord does once He’s allowed into our dwelling. Room by room, He cleans the carpeting, redecorates the walls, and replaces the furnishings until our entire house is a credit to His excellent and worthy name. Only God can give us the power to put an end to those sinful attitudes and stubborn habits that slow us down and trip us up in our race to the finish line. These “powerful kings” have no choice but to yield to the power of the same One who kicked-out all the wicked civilizations trying to unlawfully hold on to their territories. When we’re really ready to do business with God, He’ll provide the strength it takes to win!

As the psalmist reviewed Israel’s early history, he found countless instances of God’s blessing upon His people. Take a few moments to review your life, and watch how surprised you’ll be at His blessing in your life too! Happy Thanksgiving… and Happy Thanksliving!