Bible Study - Extra Lesson - Three Reasons for Giving Thanks - Psalm 107:1-9 - November 27, 2022

 

Bible Study – Extra Lesson – Three Reasons for Giving Thanks - November 27, 2022

Our focus scripture is Psalm 107:1-9

Give thanks for the ways GOD is at work in your life.

We just completed our series of study “How to Build Your Life on GOD’S Word.” When we study GOD’S Word it connects us with GOD and HE reveals truth to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to all people, as they seek truth.

As Spirit-born people, giving thanks to our LORD places the canopy of GOD’S love over us and is a powerful shield when we are battling the spirit world. Let’s explore!

Praise and worship are powerful weapons as Spirit-born people fight the spirit world. It is vital that our churches have praise and worship as well as Holy Spirit inspired preaching and teaching. When we leave a time of worship, we need to leave with a song in our hearts and a message that ministers to us throughout the week.

What does the writer of this psalm have to say about expressing thanksgiving for GOD’S deliverance?

The book of Psalms is divided into five books, and each one ends with a doxology. Psalm 107 begins Book Five which captures the experience of Israel after they return to Judah. Psalm 107 explains how GOD brought HIS people to Judah after 70 years of captivity. Psalm 107 describes how GOD answers prayer.

Every Spirit-born person can write a psalm expressing how GOD has worked in his or her life since being delivered from the bondage of sin, through faith in JESUS. In fact, many people journal and write about their journey with GOD/JESUS. I have the joy of expressing my journey as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to me, as I pen these lessons and study the writings from other Spirit-led sources.

As mentioned earlier, Psalm 107 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving expressing GOD’S deliverance from physical captivity. We still hear cases of physical bondage but many are in bondage to sin, depression, addiction and the list goes on. When a person is delivered from bondage, there is rejoicing. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 107:1-3:

Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance (Highlighted are the three reasons.)

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
² Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe
³ and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.

Praise and thanksgiving come from within our inner core, from the eyes of our hearts as Sons and Daughters of GOD, through faith in JESUS. GOD in HIS wisdom chose for us to be born human first and then to be Spirit-born as a free-will choice that each person has to make to be eternally born into GOD’S Family. Humans are caught in spiritual battle between GOD and Satan. GOD gives each person the freedom to choose. JESUS told Nicodemus, who was very religious as a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, that he had to be born-again in his Spirit. This is GOD’S message to all people that religion is not adequate to get a person into Heaven. The Good News is that GOD presents salvation to every person and that person chooses whether or not to accept GOD’S invitation to be Spiritually and eternally born into HIS Family. The person to whom GOD calls to salvation knows that he or she has been called to salvation. It is up to each person whether or not he or she accepts. Free will!

GOD calls those who have been Spiritually born into HIS Family to reach out and share the Good News of salvation with fellow humans, as HE gives us opportunity. Those who are Spiritually born become an enemy of Satan and he does everything possible that is within his power to defeat us but GOD equips those Spiritually born into HIS Family with Spiritual Gifts and HIS Word to resist Satan. HE places the Holy Spirit within us as a guarantee and seal that we have been “born-again” into GOD’S Family through faith in JESUS.

The Bible is clear in James 4:7 - ⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In 1 John 4: ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS/Holy Spirit) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan). 

What does this mean to us who have been Spiritually born-again?

Are we wandering in the wilderness of doubt and disbelief as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Psalm 107:4-7:

⁴ Some wandered in the desolate wilderness,
finding no way to a city where they could live.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty;
their spirits failed^[a] within them.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
he rescued them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by the right path
to go to a city where they could live.

Do we, as Spirit-born people, wander in doubt and lack of faith? Do we desire to enter into the very presence of GOD through faith in JESUS but have fears that hold us back from saying, “Here I am, as I am, help me to be born-again in my spirit that I might know and experience the fulness of JESUS in my life. I cannot take this step of faith on my own, I need YOUR help and strength to do so. Rescue me from my distress and place my feet upon the right path that leads me to victory, found only in eternal faith in JESUS. Confirm my step of faith by the witness of the Holy Spirit, Who seals us with HIS guarantee of eternal life and assurance that we belong to GOD through faith in JESUS. Nothing will ever snatch us out of GOD’S hands.” We read in John 10:27-30: (JESUS is teaching)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

This is double protection – FATHER and SON confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those who are Spirit-born are secure in JESUS and can call GOD, Daddy and approach HIM 24/7 with anything. What a joy and assurance!!!

If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, do so right now. There are no specific words because GOD knows your heart. I heard of one person that simply said “LORD, I give up.” GOD desires for you to become HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth. It is GOD’S free gift to each of us because JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for our sins and to cleanse all who accept JESUS as their Savior.

When you become GOD’S Child you can express your joy through shouts of thanksgiving. In fact, you might want to write about your Spiritual journey and share with others the joy of salvation and/or restoration, if you have been in Spiritual weeds and had needs.

Let’s read Psalm 107:8-9:

⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord
for his faithful love
and his wondrous works for all humanity.
⁹ For he has satisfied the thirsty
and filled the hungry with good things.

When we realize what GOD and JESUS have done for us, it results in praise and adoration. Oh yes, GOD/JESUS/Holy Spirit confirm their presence in our lives and the joy of our salvation and for their everlasting love and guidance. We will behold Their wonderous works for all humanity, including us, and they will quench and satisfy our Spiritual thirst. Our Spiritual hunger will be satisfied and we will be led to seek that which comes from our Heavenly FATHER.

In Psalm 145:15-16, we read:

All eyes look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

When we seek, we will find and when we knock, GOD will open the door and lead us to truth and the eternal city where HE and JESUS reside.

If you accepted JESUS as your Savior, make HIM the LORD of your life. Write this moment down with the date for those who may find it at some later time but also share with others, especially family, that you have committed your life to JESUS. What a joyous moment this is for you and your family at this special time of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving my brother or sister in CHRIST.

Blessings!!!