Celebrating Survival: A Thanksgiving Reflection on God's Faithfulness

 

Summary

In this season of Thanksgiving, we gather to celebrate survival and the faithfulness of God. As we reflect on the past year, we recognize the trials and tribulations that could have overwhelmed us, yet we stand here today as survivors. Psalm 124 reminds us that if it had not been for the Lord on our side, we would have been consumed by the challenges we faced. This psalm of ascent, sung by pilgrims on their way to worship, is a testament to God's deliverance and faithfulness. It calls us to acknowledge that our survival is not by chance but by the grace of God.

In the midst of life's storms, we are encouraged to lean into gratitude, even when grief and guilt threaten to overshadow our thankfulness. The struggle of survivor's remorse is real, as we grapple with the reality of being alive while others we love have not made it through. Yet, we are reminded that survival is always worth celebrating. Our praise is not just for what is but for what could have been. We consider the alternative outcomes and recognize that God's omnibenevolence—His unwavering goodness—has been our sustaining force.

As we look back over 2024, we see that God's faithfulness has been our anchor. Despite the challenges, we have been kept by His grace. Our survival is a testament to His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence. We are here not because of our own strength or goodness but because God has determined to be our help. This Thanksgiving, let us celebrate survival by acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Let us praise Him for the doors He has opened, the ways He has made, and the strength He has provided. As we gather with loved ones, may we remember that our survival is a reason to give thanks and glorify God.

Key Takeaways:

- Celebrating Survival: In the face of trials, we are called to celebrate survival, recognizing that our existence is a testament to God's faithfulness. Despite the challenges of 2024, we stand as survivors, not by our own strength, but by the grace of God. [01:10:43]

- Leaning into Gratitude: Even when grief and guilt threaten to overshadow our thankfulness, we are encouraged to lean into gratitude. Survival is always worth celebrating, and our praise should be motivated by what could have been, not just what is. [01:13:40]

- God's Omnibenevolence: God's omnibenevolence—His unwavering goodness—has been our sustaining force. Our survival is a testament to His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence. We are here because God has determined to be our help. [01:35:48]

- Reflecting on 2024: As we reflect on the past year, we see that God's faithfulness has been our anchor. Despite the challenges, we have been kept by His grace. Our survival is a reason to give thanks and glorify God. [01:39:50]

- Thanksgiving as a Celebration: This Thanksgiving, let us celebrate survival by acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Let us praise Him for the doors He has opened, the ways He has made, and the strength He has provided. [02:10:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:19] - Call to Worship
- [24:11] - Spirit of Thanksgiving
- [26:12] - Hymn of Surrender
- [28:30] - Intercessory Prayer
- [29:31] - Prayer for Healing
- [34:54] - Total Praise
- [38:11] - Fellowship and Announcements
- [48:51] - Thanksgiving Holiday Reminder
- [51:15] - Offering Time
- [55:43] - Choir Worship
- [01:06:34] - Prayer for the Word
- [01:08:16] - Psalm 124 Reading
- [01:10:43] - Celebrating Survival
- [01:13:40] - Survivor's Remorse
- [01:35:48] - God's Omnibenevolence
- [01:39:50] - Thanksgiving Reflection
- [02:10:33] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 124:1-8 (NRSV)

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Psalm 124, what are some of the dangers that the psalmist says they were delivered from? How does this relate to the theme of survival in the sermon? [01:09:28]

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentions the struggle of "survivor's remorse." What examples are given to illustrate this struggle? [01:13:40]

3. How does the pastor describe God's omnibenevolence, and what role does it play in our survival according to the sermon? [01:35:48]

4. What does the pastor suggest is the reason for celebrating survival, even amidst grief and guilt? [01:10:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Psalm 124 encourage believers to reflect on their past experiences and God's role in their survival? What might this reflection look like in a believer's life today? [01:10:43]

2. The sermon discusses the tension between grief and gratitude. How can understanding God's omnibenevolence help believers navigate this tension? [01:35:48]

3. What does the pastor mean by "leaning into gratitude," and how might this practice impact a believer's perspective on their current circumstances? [01:13:40]

4. How does the concept of "celebrating survival" challenge or affirm your understanding of Thanksgiving as a holiday and a spiritual practice? [01:39:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a specific challenge you faced in 2024. How can you see God's hand in your survival, and how might you express gratitude for that? [01:39:50]

2. The sermon mentions survivor's remorse. Have you ever experienced this feeling? How can you reconcile the joy of survival with the grief of loss? [01:13:40]

3. Consider the idea of God's omnibenevolence. How can this understanding of God's nature influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [01:35:48]

4. The pastor encourages celebrating survival by acknowledging God's goodness. What are some practical ways you can incorporate this celebration into your Thanksgiving traditions this year? [02:10:33]

5. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did gratitude play a role in your response, and how can you cultivate a habit of gratitude moving forward? [01:13:40]

6. The sermon suggests that our survival is not by chance but by God's grace. How does this perspective change the way you view your past and future challenges? [01:10:43]

7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to see God's faithfulness. What steps can you take to remind yourself of His goodness and faithfulness in that area? [01:39:50]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Celebrating Survival as a Testament to Faith

In the face of trials and tribulations, survival is not merely a matter of chance but a testament to the faithfulness of God. As we reflect on the past year, particularly the challenges of 2024, we recognize that our continued existence is a result of divine grace. Psalm 124 serves as a powerful reminder that if it had not been for the Lord on our side, we would have been overwhelmed by the adversities we faced. This acknowledgment calls us to celebrate our survival, not as a testament to our own strength, but as evidence of God's unwavering support and faithfulness. [01:10:43]

Psalm 124:1-3 (ESV): "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us."

Reflection: Think of a specific challenge you faced this past year. How can you celebrate your survival as a testament to God's faithfulness today?


Day 2: Gratitude Amidst Grief and Guilt

In times of grief and guilt, it can be difficult to maintain a spirit of gratitude. Survivor's remorse is a real struggle, as we grapple with the reality of being alive while others we love have not made it through. Yet, we are encouraged to lean into gratitude, recognizing that survival is always worth celebrating. Our praise should be motivated not just by what is, but by what could have been. By considering the alternative outcomes, we can appreciate the sustaining force of God's omnibenevolence in our lives. [01:13:40]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Identify a moment when grief or guilt overshadowed your thankfulness. How can you intentionally practice gratitude in that area today?


Day 3: God's Omnibenevolence as Our Sustaining Force

God's omnibenevolence—His unwavering goodness—has been our sustaining force throughout the challenges we have faced. Our survival is a testament to His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence. We are here not because of our own strength or goodness, but because God has determined to be our help. This understanding calls us to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness in our lives, recognizing that His grace has been our anchor. [01:35:48]

Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV): "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt sustained by God's goodness. How can you acknowledge His omnibenevolence in your life today?


Day 4: Reflecting on God's Faithfulness in 2024

As we look back over the past year, we see that God's faithfulness has been our anchor amidst the storms of life. Despite the challenges of 2024, we have been kept by His grace. Our survival is a reason to give thanks and glorify God, recognizing that His faithfulness has been our sustaining force. This reflection calls us to praise Him for the doors He has opened, the ways He has made, and the strength He has provided. [01:39:50]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Consider the ways God has been faithful to you this past year. How can you express your gratitude for His faithfulness today?


Day 5: Thanksgiving as a Celebration of God's Goodness

This Thanksgiving, we are called to celebrate survival by acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. As we gather with loved ones, let us praise Him for the doors He has opened, the ways He has made, and the strength He has provided. Our survival is a reason to give thanks and glorify God, recognizing that His grace has been our sustaining force. Let this season be a time of reflection and gratitude for all that God has done. [02:10:33]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: As you gather with loved ones, how can you intentionally celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness in your life today?

Quotes

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name. Let everything that I have. Praise the Lord. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praises shall continuously be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord, and the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. Oh, taste and see. [00:23:05] (29 seconds)


We come to this altar where we believe that alterations take place. It is prayer time in this place of prayer. And as we ask each and every week, we ask that you will center yourself on Jesus Christ and on the heart of God this morning. Again, you may stand, you may sit, you may kneel, you may come to this altar, but however you come, in whatever way that you come, let us come in hope and faith and belief that our God does hear us when we pray. [00:25:36] (34 seconds)


If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say, if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive. When their anger was kindled against us, then the flood would have swept us away. The torrent would have gone over us. Then over us would have gone the raging waters. [01:09:39] (37 seconds)


After all I've been through in 2024, I'm... This... This Thanksgiving season, I'm celebrating, I'm celebrating survival. Pastor Thomas, some people have a hard time adjusting to living beyond what they've lived through. Transitioning back into some sense of normalcy and a regular rhythm of life after having gone through some trial or trial. Or trauma that has knocked you off beat. That can be a real uphill battle. [01:10:43] (44 seconds)


Their mind is being pulled in two directions. will start to drift and then all of a sudden a recap of this year's episodes of life will start to play back the accidents the transitions the natural disasters the sicknesses the violent encounters this recap will happen and gratefulness will show up in their hearts but for some reason even as gratefulness shows up in their hearts the guilt won't let that gratefulness last too long they start to question why they outlived it and outlasted it when other people didn't and then the sweetness of joy all of a sudden turns bitter health and fitness economic disparities and a laundry list of other things burden people and shade what is supposed to be a season of intentional celebration into a complex spiritual and emotional struggle of the soul [01:13:40] (76 seconds)


If you think long and hard enough about all God has been to you in spite of what you confront been confronted with you'll be able to declare without doubt and delay if it had not been the Lord who was on our side this song teaches us that genuine Thanksgiving genuine praise emerges from a life that is aware that God is the source of its survival that God has been providing for you God has been protecting you God has caused you to persevere that's why we love the Bible you're not a news story that's why you're not viral on some social media clip that's why your face or your name is not on a t -shirt because god has been keeping you [01:23:46] (73 seconds)


Survivors praise God because they have learned that through it all, whatever they've gone through, God has never stopped being faithful. I wish I had something better to tell you. Through it has never stopped being faithful. Here it is, whether good or bad, our situations, our experiences, they're going to vary from generation to generation. But the one thing that people who trust in God can always count on is that God is going to be good. And God is going to be faithful. [01:35:48] (56 seconds)


When you consider all you've been through, where you are right now, you've made a lot of mistakes in between. Yes. your past and your present uh you should be able to see that i'm here right now things are worse things are bad but they could have been a whole lot worse because of who i am but god has been keeping me that's why they say in verse number six bless the lord who has not given us y 'all missed the shout but god could have given us over but bless god who has not given us as a prey to their teeth we have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers the snare is broken and we have escaped here it is because our help is in the name of the lord who made the heaven and the earth [01:39:50] (66 seconds)


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Transcript
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