Give thanks to the Lord

1 Chronicles 16:7-36

Key Verse 16:34

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Last Sunday we studied the musical worship in celebration of the life in the Lord. Today we would like to think about David's exhortation to give thanks to the Lord. In the passage seven thanks topics stand out for our attention: 

First, for his wonderful acts

Look at verses 7-9. "That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." 

In this passage David focuses on "what [the Lord] has done." He draws our attention to "all of his wonderful acts." What does David mean by "what he has done" or “all of wonderful acts”? The phrase, "That day," answers the question.  Here, "That day," refers to the day when the Ark of the Covenant entered the city of David. This event marked the official beginning of the Lord ruling the land of Canaan. Bible history indicates that people living in the land of Canaan were steeped in all kinds of idol worship. God does not like idol worship, because when one worships idols, one will become like idols. Idols cannot see, smell, sense, feel, hear, talk, or walk. In other words, they are dumb. God did not make man to be dumb. God made man to be like God. So by ridding the land of idol worship and establishing the worship of God, God prepared an environment in which man can overcome his animal condition and rise to man’s level and then to God’s level. This is the first and foremost important thanks topic we have in Jesus. 

Second, for his holy name

The second thanks topic is the name for which we are called to live. Look at verse 10. “Glory in his holy name…” Here “his name” is associated with the word “holy,” which means “set apart” or “different from.” God’s name is different from all other names in that God alone is not dependant on anyone but himself. He alone is self-sufficient. He alone can make the insufficient sufficient. 

When Jesus came he demonstrated his holiness. He demonstrated that he can make the insufficient sufficient. The first miracle Jesus performed [in Galilee] proves this point, for he changed wash-water to buckets of choice wine. (cf. John 2:1-11) Can you change a body of wash-water into a bucket of choice wine by simply “desiring” it to happen? I do not think so. But Jesus did. 

To the extent that holiness means total independence from any eternal source, we say holiness denotes freedom in the true sense of the word “freedom.” We are told, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free” (Galatians 5:1). We can better understand this concept (holiness being co-equal with freedom) when we think about the example of the Israelites. While the Israelites were in Egypt they were not free. They were held down in slavery under the iron rule of Pharaoh. But by God’s mighty hand, they were set free from Pharaoh’s iron grip. Then God called them a “holy” nation. This means that the Israelites secured freedom in the Lord. They did not have to depend upon Pharaoh for life. For life they now could depend upon the Lord God who alone is the source of life which comes with bountiful joy. King David tasted this freedom under the wings of the Lord. 

Knowing that we have our Lord Jesus whose name is holy is critical to living a life that is not degraded by what is limited but ennobled by God’s holiness. Life came from God. In order for life to thrive fully, reaching its noblest height, it must be set free from the limits of you and the idols you worship. David understood this concept so he set aside his idols, and surrendered his life to the Lord. Then the Lord blessed his life with many victories: by faith he went out, fought his enemies, and won victory after victory. 

Third, for his blessed presence

Practically then how will the Lord bless a man who surrenders his life to God? Let us look at verses 10b and 11: “[L]et the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” The words “strength” and “face” indicate that the Lord strengthens his children through his blessed presence. Here the word “face” is particularly important because it denotes the intimate fellowship with the Lord—and no blessing is greater than the Lord himself. 

But here is a problem. We know that it is a truly great thanks topic to have such access to the intimate fellowship with the Lord. We know the absolute blessedness of the opportunity to see the king of the universe face to face. We know that Jesus made it readily available. Yet why is it that so many people do not seek the Lord, and remain depressed? 

What King David says in verse 10b gives us a hint. That is, we do not dare to proceed to the glorious presence of God as boldly and enthusiastically as we should, simply because we think that it is too difficult to do so, or that the possibility to get anything out of it is too slim. So you say, “Oh, I am not a monk. So I do not have time to pray.” “Oh, there is too much homework to do. I cannot afford the luxury of coming to the Lord.” “Oh, the baby keeps crying, so I cannot come to the Lord.” Or some people might say, “Oh, I am too sinful. I have gone too far. I am all washed out.” So they do not come to the Lord. They lie down in bed sobbing. 

But David says, “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Why? Is it because David does not understand that your hearts are heavy? No way. He does understand that you are really down. He does understand that the challenges you have are truly overwhelming. Why then does he say, “Let your heart rejoice!”? Two explanations are logical: first, success is guaranteed; second, the reward will be to your full satisfaction. As difficult as it may seem, as heavy as your heart may be, as slim as the chance of success may appear, by all means, firmly resolve to seek the Lord. Then, in your given situation, try to do something towards seeking the face of the Lord. Maybe it can be your going to a restroom next to your classroom and sitting down on a toilet. There you can start crying and then praying. Maybe if you are a mother and if your baby keeps crying, you may wish to hold the baby, and start singing a song. When you are at work, maybe you can go out of the office building, take a walk for maybe a few minutes and meditate on the Word of God. In so doing, remember that the Lord is eager to reveal himself to you; only if you make a decision to go to Him and talk to him, the Lord will make things go easier; burdens will be lifted up; light will start coming in, etc. And the Lord is going to help you in such a way that you can experience his presence right next to you, so you can see Him face to face. But it is not for me to preach about. It is for everyone to personally try and taste the joy of his presence. 

Fourth, for his rightesous judgments 

In verse 12 we have another thanks topic. Look at verse 12. “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced…” What David says here is this: God created the world according to rules and regulations; just as obedience to the Lord’s precepts has consequences, so also disobedience to his rules and regulations comes with consequences. By “the judgments he pronounced” (here the word “pronounce” means “make announcement in advance,” so people would be put on notice) David means the consequences of one disobeying the principles the Lord built in the universe. 

Many of us have lived in this land (where “the rule of law” prevails) so I would assume that there is no need to expound on this point that much. Just in case any one of you might entertain a second thought let me proceed to add the following: “Do not drive too fast on the freeway, or you will get a ticket”; “Do not spend more than you earn, or you will always be financially strapped”; “Be careful about what you say (either on your husband, your superior, your neighbors, or on the Lord), for the Bible says, “By your own words, I will judge you.” 

Fifth, for his blessed covenant

In verses 13-22, David is now speaking to a community of peoples [called “the believer”], for they have one common thanks topic, that is, the blessed relationship with the Lord which David calls a “covenant” relationship. Look at verses 13-22:

“O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.’ When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: ‘Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.’” 

The Lord desires to have a relationship with his children. It has been said, “The foundation of relationship is faith.” So the Lord wants his children come to Him by faith in His promises. For a relationship he first offers promises to his children; his children take a look at the promises, and then by faith in His promises they change their position, and come to the Lord. Abraham in Genesis 12 is a good example. In Genesis 12 the Lord made Abraham big promises. The promises the Lord God made to Abraham were all too good to believe. But Abraham believed. By faith he changed his position: he left his old life and by faith he went to the Promised Land. 

All of God’s promises are trustworthy. Why? It is because God is faithful. Because of his faithfulness, God is not going to break his promises. In addition, God has a good memory: he is not forgetful. He remembers the promises “forever”; he is not like some of us, who make a promise, remembers it for a while, and then forgets. 

What will God do for those who enter into a covenant relationship with Him? We find an answer to this question in verses 13-22. In this passage we have the promise of “land” (18), “people” (descendants) (13, 15-19), and “protection” (20-22). These promises are applicable to all believers, at least in principle. If you believe, he will bless your “land” (house, work, ministry, business…). Lately, due to a number of violent incidents taking place at home and on college campuses, people are not sure of their safety. Actually Abraham in Genesis felt the same way. As he lived among a bunch of gang-bangers, on many occasions he felt paranoid. But each time he grew anxious the Lord came and said, “Abraham, do not be afraid: I am your shield.” Some times, Abraham talked back, but eventually he listened to the Lord. He remained calm, and the Lord led him to quiet waters. The same protection and provision is for those who put trust in the Lord.

Sixth, for his true greatness

Today I would like to ask all to do something truly significant: that is to rise and read altogether verses 23-30. This passage exhorts us to think about and talk about and sing God’s true greatness. And we must do it musically, in the spirit of joy. 

The reason for this exhortation is to lift us up from a mundane level to God’s level, that the Lord would fill our hearts with His joy. Watch David’s selection of words: glory, splendor, majesty, strength, and joy. Glory first, splendor second, majesty third, strength fourth, and joy the final station. Step by step, God blesses the heart of song and raise, and fills him with the joy of salvation. 

Give special attention to what King David says: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.” Note the word “worthy”. “Worthy” has to do with value. The time of our life here on earth is limited. In fact time is so valuable that we say, “Time is money.” So we need to spend time by thinking about and praising for God’s true greatness. Then God will fill our hearts with the joy of salvation. He will inspire us to be like Him and live like Him. 

These days not all people spend time thinking of the Lord, much less singing for the Lord. Rather they think about all that are mundane. If one keeps thinking what is mundane he will end up doing what is mundane. Then he goes down to a pit, and gets stuck in the pit of despair. 

Jacob in Genesis is a good example. Jacob was a successful young man. In his early adulthood he earned what he wanted to earn: love (Rachel plus three more wives), children (12 of them), and a great fortune. Was he happy? No. Why? He was always thinking about a man named Esau holding the “Ismail Ax”. As a result he was stressed out. In deep distress he sent all of his possessions and family members across the Jabok River. He put his possessions and his family in a harm’s way. In fact he used all of them – even his children as a barricade to protect him from Esau coming down to strike him with a loaded gun. He then stayed on the other side of the River. But still he could not shake off the deep sense of “Esau Phobia”. Why? It was because he was always thinking about Esau. The Lord had mercy on Jacob. In his mercy the Lord sent an angel, so at night Jacob had a wrestling match with him. The match was so strenuous that Jacob had no time to think about Esau. Plus, his wrestling partner was a noble man - a God’s servant sent by the God of glory. So Jacob was forced to think about the Lord of glory rather than the angry face of Esau. Then what happened? He was completely relieved of grief and anxiety! All the negative emotions were gone! Instead joy of heaven filled his heart. So when he saw Esau the next day with a big smile he gave a big hug to Esau and said, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God.” Genesis 33:10    

Seventh, for his [second] coming

Look at verses 31-33: “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’ Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.” This passage (especially what King David asks the congregation to do in verses 31-33) surprises us, for David asks us to invite all creation in the entire universe to singing and praising the Lord. Both in the day of David and in our own day, the world used to be and is now filled with miseries after miseries, disasters after disasters. As of now each and every day somewhere on the planet earth, people keep starving to death, plagues are still raging, enemies are sharpening their swords, and bombs are exploding. 

How then can we invite all creatures to singing joyful songs for the blessed name of the Lord? Here is the REASON: “He comes to judge the earth.” In a prophetic vision, filled with the Holy Spirit, King David saw the vision of the Lord Jesus coming again. When he comes again, he will give a good clean up; he will make everything “NEW”. He will renew the heavens and the earth. He will bring in the new heavens and new earth as the home for the righteous! This is the source of true joy. (Pro 3:33; Revelation 21:5) 

In conclusion, David says that we must give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. In this conviction, each time we face one difficulty or another we should cry out to the Lord saying, “Save us, O God our Savior!” Then the Lord will bless us. Then we can glory in His praise. Amen