“House of Good Things, Valleys that Sing”
Thanksgiving Oct.12, 2008 Psalm 65 Play
AUDIO
(mp3) Play VIDEO (wmv)
Still Something for which to Give Thanks
● Psalm reminds us there’s much more than material
things to appreciate
Earth Responds Abundantly to God’s Watering
● plentiful rain permits fields to produce bountiful
crops (9-13)
● above-average precipitation this season made for
bumper yields (Jer 5:24)
God’s Power Responds to the Chaos of our Circumstances
● God stills the roaring of the sea’s waves and
nations’ turmoil (6f; Mt 8:26)
● international market chaos stemmed from greed /
mismanagement in large financial institutions
● Habakkuk: woe to those who profit by extortion,
piling up stolen goods (Hab 2:6,9,13)
● can be joyful in God even when crops fail and
stalls are empty (Hab 3:17ff)
Guilt-laden Consciences Respond to God’s Grace & Forgiveness
● forgiveness of overwhelming sins brings sense of
blessedness (3f)
● Jesus’ ‘blood of the covenant’ makes possible for
sin-debt to be wiped out (Lev 4:25; Mt 26:28)
Our Hearts Respond with Hope, Joy, & Obedience
● Saviour gives hope & songs of joy when outlook
bleak (1,5,8; Mk 10:27)
● motivated to fulfill vows by God’s goodness to us
(1)
More Thankful with Less
● high-living couple ‘had it all’ except happiness
● Mexican mission trip introduced people with joy
despite poverty