Gratitude of the Redeemed


"I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord" (Psalm 116:17-18)

In this Psalm titled "The gratitude of the redeemed" in my Bible, the writer is expressing thanksgiving for God's intervention during a crisis in his life.

"How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" he asks in verse 12.  It really is IMPOSSIBLE to repay the Lord in proportion to His goodness to us, but the psalmist apparently made some promises (or vows) in his attempt.

The platform of our church....

It's OK to make promises to God.  But it is important to follow through on them.  It is appropriate to express our thanksgiving in tangible ways to Him -- such as thanks offerings.  Thanksgiving may be expressed privately to God, but there are times to express it publicly - "in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord."
Today is one of those times!

13 comments:

  1. We try to go (and usually actually have made it most years) to Mass on Thanksgivng day so that we can give true thanksgiving where it is most merited, to our Heavenly Father. It is so wise to keep 'focused' on what is most important in our lives.

    blessings and thankful hugs,

    marcy

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  2. Well I am always Thankful, even for the tiny things! Your church looks lovely Rebecca.
    Have a blessed Sunday.
    Love Di
    P.S.
    I keep forgetting to say that I love your new photo and I think that your hair is perfect.

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  3. Marcy, I hope you can attend Mass again THIS year on Thanksgiving Day. Our church won't meet on Thursday, but we DID have a great time of thanksgiving and praise this morning.

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  4. Diana, Little? Big? In everything give thanks --as you do. Thank YOU for saying you think my hair is perfect. It is growing and I COULD use a cut, but I'm trying to "time" my next cut work for Thankgiving AND Christmas AND New Years......

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  5. Oh that our very lives would be a thanksgiving. While I relish the day we've come to cherish for all things family (and yummy), I pray that my heart would celebrate in kind each and every day.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  6. Kathleen - Oh, so do I! Thanksgiving = thanksLIVING!

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  7. My first thanks is and always for God...not for what He has given me...but for who He is. He owes me nothing...yet gives me everything I need. I am thankful to my Lord.
    Thank you God...You are Holy.

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  8. Thank you for your encouraging words, and encouraging blog. I'm blessed that our paths have crossed!
    Joyfully,
    Wylie

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  9. It is wonderful to come and visit your thankful blog.....you are a true blessing in my life Rebecca and I love your love and passion for God........:-) Hugs

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  10. Rebecca, Sunday greetings.I love your visits to my blog and the wonderful and thought provoking comments you leave me. I feel like i have always known you. Your blog is growing and your creative talent and the spirit of the Lord is all over it in many interesting ways.
    In answer to your Q. on my blog about.. do I know how many types of these doodles have i done? I will say this year..close to 200. I have not doodled in my Bible as of yet, but if I have pen and a clear flat surface I doodle. Just a little more low keyed. Also Rebecca..do-can lead to do-odles. :-) For the past week I have been feeling such a joy of the Lord in my heart and all of my blessings have been clear before my eyes.This Thanksgiving Holiday I am truly Thankful from my heart.

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  11. Beautiful post, Rebecca!
    And your church looks beautiful too!

    I am so thankful for all my Blessings. Blessings beyond my wildest dreams. My cup runneth over.

    Blessed Thanksgiving!
    Love and Prayers,
    Eileen

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  12. I can definately relate to the psalmist right at this time in my life!

    Being thankful doesn't come easy when what you are thanking Him for is the trial that you are experiencing...but following through with it ~ it is the greatest blessing!

    Thank you dear friend, for your encouragement, for your love for Christ, for being an inspiration to all of us!

    maria

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  13. Bless you for being a sweet inspiration.

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)