Bible Study - How to Pray (7) - A Prayer of Thanksgiving - Psalm 138 - November 25, 2018

Bible Study – How to Pray (7) – A Prayer of Thanksgiving – November 25, 2018

This is lesson seven (7) and our final lesson in our series entitled “How to Pray.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 138:1-8.

Express gratitude and trust in the One who hears our prayers.

This is a psalm that David wrote. David wrote this psalm from the point-of-view of knowing GOD through experience. That is GOD’S desire for every person upon earth. HE truly desires for every person to know HIM intimately. HE is not to be feared, as in being afraid of HIM but HE is to be shown reverence, awe and respect. We, of all people, who live in a miracle called the human body and behold all of HIS handiwork should rejoice in HIS everlasting love which is expressed Psalm 138 and in John 3:16-18:

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. 

David was looking forward to the coming of the promised Messiah and we are looking back at the fulfillment of GOD’S Promise. JESUS willingly came to earth to give HIS life so that all who place their faith in HIM will have eternal life at the instant they accept HIM as their Savior. Now that is exciting!

Knowing that now, how would we express that fact?

David is coming from experiencing GOD in his everyday life. He saw GOD’S protective hand and HIS guidance throughout his life. Have you considered the awesome probability of you existing as a person? Just consider your ancestral line. If certain relatives along your ancestral line had not been spared long enough for you to exist, you would not exist.

It is vital that you know that GOD knew you before the world was created. Do you recall Ephesians 1:3-12:  

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ; 

4 for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 

5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 

6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. 

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him 

10 for the administration) of the days of fulfillment-to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. 

11 In Him we were also made His inheritance, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 

12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory. 

GOD has a plan for you! That is exciting! GOD had a plan for David and he knew it. Knowing it did not make him perfect but it did make him grateful and thankful. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 138:1-2:

A Thankful Heart - Davidic.

1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. 

2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and faithfulness. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. 

When a person has been forgiven completely by someone who really doesn’t have to forgive him or her, it humbles the person who knows that what was done was profoundly wrong. King David experiences the love of GOD when he came to GOD with a broken heart because of sin. David committed adultery and murder. He broke the hearts of those who had looked up to him as a man who walked with GOD. He continued to walk with GOD but in humility.

David expressed his gratitude to GOD from the depths of his heart. The most secret place within our lives where truth prevails. David was genuine when he expressed his deepest thanks to GOD. He expressed his thanks to GOD with “all” of his heart. There were no hidden motives, no attempt to justify why he did what he had done. David repented and GOD forgave him. Knowing the forgiveness of GOD produced a song of praise in David’s heart which he sang before GOD and all heavenly beings. David praised the One True GOD. David was aware that other nations embraced “false gods” which were a figment of their imaginations. David knew from experience that the GOD, Yahweh, was real because he had built a personal relationship with HIM.

David acknowledged his faith in the One True GOD, Yahweh, which others knew dwelled in the temple. When David bowed toward the temple he was expressing that the GOD of the Israelites was greater than he was.

David had experienced the love and truth of GOD. GOD had met and exceeded all that David could ever comprehend. He wanted everyone to know this about GOD. GOD’S love and care for those who acknowledge HIM and obediently serve HIM exceeds human understanding. David expressed this in verse 2.

In our next verse notice how responsive GOD was to David.

Let’s read Psalm 138:3-6:

3 On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me. 

4 All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised. 

5 They will sing of the Lord's ways, for the Lord's glory is great. 

6 Though the Lord is exalted, He takes note of the humble; but He knows the haughty from afar. 

GOD is always present but we need to call upon HIM. Often, people think, “GOD doesn’t care about me or I don’t want to worry GOD with the little things that come into my life.” Don’t allow that thought to enter your mind. GOD cares for you and delights when you come to HIM.

What is the key in approaching GOD? JESUS expressed it best in John 14:5-6:

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you. When you place your faith in what He did just for you, GOD forgives you for all of your sins – past, present and future. Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 God made him (JESUS) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

When a person experiences the forgiveness of GOD through faith in JESUS, he or she experiences the burden of sin lifted from him or her.

This week in Good News Club, we experienced a precious second grader asking JESUS to forgive her and to come into her heart. It was overwhelming. That precious little face expressed it all. Whether you are young or old, JESUS is ready for you to be born into GOD’S Family through faith in JESUS. Do not delay, now is the moment to accept JESUS as your SAVIOR.

Let’s read Psalm 138:7-8:

7 If I walk in the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me. 

8 The Lord will fulfill [His purpose] for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.

David knew that life has it pitfalls but David knew that GOD walked with him “in the thick of danger.” I know I have experienced the powerful hand of GOD sparing me from certain injury or death. The hand of GOD is never too short that HE cannot reach us in times of trouble. The right hand of GOD is considered HIS mighty hand of Power.

Notice in verse 8 that David had the utmost confidence in the protective care of GOD and HIS guidance. David was confident that

“The Lord will fulfill [His purpose] for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” Notice the confidence David has in GOD and HIS forgiveness which is driven by GOD’S love. GOD’S eternal mission never changes and as we know GOD planned for HIS only Son JESUS to be born in the flesh. And David’s ancestral lineage would be traced back to him.

When GOD forgives, it is complete. GOD sets the example for HIS children to follow.

This has been an interesting study on “How to Pray.” As GOD’S Children through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit. Let’s read Romans 8:14-17:

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

As Children of GOD, we can go into the presence of GOD 24/7 with any request, concern or Father “I JUST LOVE YOU AND WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU.” Keep in mind that GOD may answer our prayer immediately, not yet, no or you need to grow Spiritually because if I give you what you want now it will harm you.

I recall a teaching GOD gave me many years ago regarding the answer to prayer. I had asked for something and did not get it. The still small voice of GOD brought to my mind this – “you have a shotgun. Yes, I responded. You have two sons. Yes, I responded. Would you give your shotgun to Ted, who was the eldest son, I responded with yes. Would you give your shotgun to Brad, who was the youngest? I said, NO! Oh, you would give your shotgun to Ted but not to Brad. Does that mean that you love Ted more than your do Brad? NO! Then, why would you give your shotgun to Ted but not to Brad? I said because Ted has been trained in how to handle a shotgun such that he would not hurt himself or someone else. Is there a time you will let Brad have the shotgun? Yes, when he has been trained and I know he knows gun safety and will not hurt himself or someone else. The still small voice of GOD said, “Now think on this.” There may be a time I will grant your request but only when I know you can handle it.”

Prayer is talking to GOD but just as vital is listening. No more precious time than to come into the presence of GOD. Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life. If you prayed that prayer, then thank GOD for saving you through the shed blood of JESUS and welcome into the Family of GOD – Brother or Sister.

 Blessing!!!