We have a great privilege today to gather together in a celebration of Thanksgiving. It was the pilgrims and Indians who first instituted Thanksgiving in our country to give thanks to God for their survival in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in 1621. Governor William Bradford decreed it a day of feasting and expression of gratitude for the harvest. Years later President George Washington issued the first National Proclamation of Thanksgiving.

For a few moments this morning I would like to have us focus on a thanksgiving many years before the pilgrims came to America. The setting is the city of Jerusalem during the reign of King David. The festive occasion was the return of the Ark of the Covenant of God - symbolizing the presence of God in their midst. You may recall that it was in the days of Moses that this Ark had been built and through the years of travel had symbolized that God was on the march with them. Prior to its return to Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant had been in the house of Abinidab. On their previous attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem they encountered difficulties. Now following God's instructions they succeed in bringing the Ark home.

We read of this in the opening verses of I Chronicles 16. They placed the Ark in a tent and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. David blessed the people in the name of the Lord. (Read verses 4-7.)

And he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and second to him, Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obededom, and Jeiel, with musical instruments, harps, lyres; also Asaph played loudly sounding cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests blew trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

Giving thanks to God was so important that David assigned or appointed some Levites to celebrate and thank the Lord before the Ark. The Revised version puts this "made it their chief work." Asaph and his relatives sing a song of Thanksgiving to the Lord. In this song we are told to give thanks to God remembering His mighty works, His mercy and salvation, and His majesty and wonder.

Give thanks to God remembering His

I. Mighty Works

Over and over in this song we are reminded of the works and deeds of God. In verse 8 we read, "make known His deeds among the peoples." In verse 9 we read, "tell of His wonderful works." In verse 12, "remember the wonderful works that He has done, the wonders He wrought, the judgements He uttered." Repeated in verses 15, 16, & 17 we are reminded to remember the covenant. Then in verses 18-22 tell of the mighty works God did in watching over and protecting His people as they took possession of the Promised Land of Canaan.

When we, like David, pause to remember the mighty works God has done for us, we too find that we have great reason for Thanksgiving. I encourage you to do that, to pause to remember this week. You could write some down as David did. Words to a great hymn come to my mind, "Count you many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." This is a very practical idea that would be a great exercise for each of us, not only the children.

God's mighty works have demonstrated the next reason we are to give thanks to God, remembering His mercy and salvation.

II. Mercy and Salvation

In verse 34 we read, "For His lovingkindness is everlasting." Mercy is a form of love, kindness, compassion. The recipients may be unworthy, undeserving of such love.

As David wrote of God's Covenant, a solemn pact or agreement between God and His people, David knew that they had broken the Covenant by sin and disobedience against God. Because of this they were very much in need of Gods mercy and salvation. David may also be thinking of his own sins and is grateful for God's merciful forgiveness for him.

As he mentions the mighty works of God he also mentions salvation, specifically how God saved them from oppression and brought them into the Promised Land. Verse 23 speaks of proclaiming good tidings of His salvation.

This covenant and the salvation of which the Psalmist wrote was looking forward to the new covenant, salvation offered through Jesus Christ whose blood was shed to wash our sins when we repent and call on His name. Verse 8 speaks of calling upon His name. Verse 11 tells of seeking the Lord and His strength. Jumping ahead to verse 34 we read, "Then say, Save us, O God of our salvation." God has made salvation from sin available to all of us, but to receive it we must respond, call, seek.

Then, like David, we will have great cause for Thanksgiving, remembering His mercy and salvation for us. Some familiar Christian songs come to mind, "I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord," Thank you Lord for Saving My Soul," "Sing the Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation."

Finally, Give thanks to God remembering His

III. Majesty and Wonder

Even though David is the King of Israel, he wrote with reverence, awe, and submission, bowing down to his majesty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He speaks of the wonderful deeds of God. Considering His majesty and Wonder of God brings David to submit to His Lordship and come before God with praise, adoration, and worship. There is wonder at the thought of His holiness, His perfection, and even His judgement. There is wonder at the thought of this King of Kings desiring a personal relationship with us. My friends remember that we are God's servants, as David spoke of the Seed of Israel being servants.

Our need is to yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to go beyond our confession of our sins and to submit to God's will. We are to live our lives according to the commands of God's word. In essence, we are to bow down before God remembering His majesty and wonder. Again, we might think of some great hymns: "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Praise to the Living God," "praise to the Lord, the Almighty." What is your song of thanksgiving?

Give thanks to God remembering His mighty works, His mercy and salvation, His majesty and wonder. Have you taken time out recently to count your many blessings? If not, this would be a great week to do so. Have you received Jesus as your personal savior? You can receive Him today. Have you submitted to the Lordship of the King of Kings? Have your expressed your thanks to God by giving to the Lord through your local church?

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