Embracing Gratitude: Recognizing God's Love and Creation

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever

The enduring love of God is the heartbeat of all creation and redemption, a love that remains constant through every season of life, even in our most difficult days. This love is not just a distant idea but a living reality that the psalmist invites us to see and experience—first in the beauty and diversity of creation, and then in the story of God’s redeeming acts. When we truly grasp that God’s love endures forever, it transforms our hearts, filling us with gratitude and hope no matter our circumstances. [23:12]

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 (ESV)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Reflection: When you look back on your life, can you name a moment when you sensed God’s steadfast love holding you through a difficult time? How might you express gratitude for that today?

Day 2: Creation Reveals God’s Glory and Generosity

Every detail of creation, from the colors of a sunset to the taste of a Thanksgiving meal, is a gift from God designed for our delight and wonder. God has given us eyes to see, noses to smell, hands to touch, and taste buds to savor the world around us, inviting us to enjoy and give thanks for the abundance and diversity of his handiwork. Each moment in creation is unique and fleeting, a precious opportunity to recognize God’s love and generosity in the present. [25:40]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

Reflection: As you go about your day, pause to notice one aspect of creation—a sight, a smell, a taste, or a sound—that fills you with wonder. How can you thank God for this specific gift right now?

Day 3: God’s Redeeming Love in Our Brokenness

God’s love is not only seen in creation but also in his redeeming work—he hears our cries in times of trouble and acts to bring freedom, healing, and hope. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery and led them to the promised land, he continues to intervene in our lives, offering redemption through Jesus Christ. Even when we feel far from God or unworthy, his love reaches out to transform and restore us, making a way home. [31:28]

Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV)
1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you need God’s redeeming love to break through? What would it look like to invite him into that place today?

Day 4: Thankfulness in the Waiting Room

There are seasons when we find ourselves waiting for God to act, facing uncertainty or hardship. In these times, Scripture calls us to devote ourselves to prayer, to watch for God’s movement, and to remain thankful, trusting that his steadfast love is at work even when we cannot see it. God’s character is unchanging, and he promises to work all things together for good for those who love him, giving us hope and patience as we wait. [39:30]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are waiting for God to move? How can you practice prayerful watchfulness and thankfulness in that waiting today?

Day 5: Sharing God’s Love with Others

The love we receive from God is not meant to be kept to ourselves; it overflows into our relationships and daily actions. As we enjoy the gifts God gives us—family, friends, food, and fellowship—we are called to express love to others, letting them know they are valued and cherished. Our acts of kindness and words of affirmation can be a reflection of God’s far greater love, reminding others that they, too, are held in his steadfast embrace. [01:01:35]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who needs to know they are loved today? What is one specific way you can show them God’s love before the day is over?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day to pause and give thanks—not just for the abundance on our tables, but for the deeper gifts that God has poured into our lives. We are invited to recognize that every good thing, from the smallest seed to the greatest tree, is a reflection of God’s creative love. The diversity and beauty of creation are not accidental; they are intentional gifts, designed for our delight and wonder. Our senses—sight, smell, touch, taste—are all means by which we experience the glory of God’s handiwork. Each moment, each meal, each relationship is a unique, unrepeatable gift, and we are called to savor them with gratitude.

But our thankfulness is not rooted only in what we can see or touch. At the heart of our gratitude is the enduring love of God—a love that does not let go, even in our darkest days. The psalmist reminds us that God’s love endures forever, and this is not just a refrain but a reality proven in two profound ways: through creation and through redemption. God’s love is seen in the world around us, but also in the way He hears our cries, intervenes in our brokenness, and makes a way for us to come home. The story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt is our story too: God hears, God acts, and God redeems.

This love is not abstract. It is made personal in Jesus Christ, who through His life, death, and resurrection, has adopted us as sons and daughters. Even when we find ourselves in seasons of waiting or pain, we are invited to devote ourselves to prayer, to watch for God’s movement, and to give thanks as we see His faithfulness unfold. The table of communion is a reminder of this steadfast love—a love that endured the cross and conquered death, a love that is working even now to complete what God has begun in us.

As we gather with family and friends, let us not only enjoy the gifts before us but also remember those who are hurting or in need. May our gratitude overflow into acts of love and compassion, reflecting the heart of God to the world. And may we rest in the assurance that God’s perfect love is at work in us, freeing us to love others as we have been loved.

Key Takeaways

1. True gratitude begins with recognizing God’s creative love in every detail of our lives. The diversity and beauty of creation, and our very ability to experience it through our senses, are intentional gifts from God. Each moment is precious and unrepeatable, calling us to savor life with a thankful heart. [25:40]
2. God’s steadfast love is not just a theological idea but a lived reality, proven through both creation and redemption. The psalmist’s refrain, “His love endures forever,” is anchored in concrete acts—God’s ongoing work in the world and in our lives. When we see with the eyes of faith, God’s love “jumps off the page” and transforms us from within. [23:43]
3. Redemption is God’s answer to our brokenness. Just as God heard the cries of Israel and delivered them, He hears our cries and moves to redeem and restore us. This is most fully realized in Jesus Christ, who makes a way for us to be adopted as God’s children and assures us that even death cannot separate us from His love. [31:28]
4. Seasons of waiting and difficulty are not signs of God’s absence but invitations to deeper trust. We are called to devote ourselves to prayer, to watch for God’s movement, and to give thanks as we witness His faithfulness. The waiting room of life is transformed when we remember that God’s character is unchanging and His love is always at work for our good. [39:30]
5. Our gratitude should overflow into love and compassion for others. As we enjoy God’s gifts, we are also called to remember and care for those who are suffering or in need. The love we share is but a small reflection of the immeasurable love God has for each person, and we honor God by expressing that love in tangible ways. [60:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:38] - Opening Prayer of Thanksgiving
[13:16] - Gratitude for Creation and Friendship
[14:08] - Prayer of Confession
[15:06] - Children’s Time: Thankfulness at the Table
[18:05] - What Are You Thankful For?
[19:19] - God’s Delight in Us
[23:12] - The Enduring Love of God
[23:43] - Seeing God’s Love in 3D: Creation and Redemption
[25:40] - Savoring the Glory of Creation
[29:26] - The Evidence of God’s Love in Creation
[30:43] - God’s Redeeming Love in Israel’s Story
[32:00] - Testimony: Encountering God’s Redemption
[38:08] - The Heartbeat of God’s Love
[39:30] - Thankfulness in the Waiting Room
[43:31] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[50:35] - Communion Invitation and Blessing
[58:30] - Closing Prayer of Gratitude
[60:50] - Living Out God’s Love and Blessing
[61:35] - Final Blessing and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 136:1-4, 10-16, 23-26 (ESV) — > 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
> 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
> 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> ...
> 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> ...
> 23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
> 25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
> 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Colossians 4:2 (ESV) — > Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 136, what are some of the specific acts of God that the psalmist lists as evidence of God’s enduring love?
According to the sermon, what are two main ways God’s love is revealed to us? ([23:12])
What are some of the senses and abilities God has given us to experience and enjoy creation, as described in the sermon? ([25:40])
What does Colossians 4:2 say about the posture we should have in prayer?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the psalmist repeat the phrase “his steadfast love endures forever” after each act of God? What effect might this have on the reader or listener?
The sermon says that God’s love is seen both in creation and redemption. How does seeing God’s love in these two areas help someone develop a deeper gratitude? ([23:43])
The pastor described seasons of waiting or difficulty as “God’s waiting room.” How might understanding God’s unchanging character and love change the way someone experiences these seasons? ([39:30])
The sermon connects the act of giving thanks with remembering God’s faithfulness in the past. Why is remembering important for cultivating gratitude and trust in God? ([42:23])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about savoring each moment and each meal as a unique, unrepeatable gift from God. What is one ordinary moment or daily routine you often overlook that you want to start noticing and giving thanks for? ([25:40])
The pastor described how our senses—sight, smell, touch, taste—are ways to experience God’s creative love. This week, how can you intentionally use one of your senses to notice and thank God for something specific? ([27:04])
When you are in a season of waiting or facing something difficult, what would it look like for you to “devote yourself to prayer, watching, and thankfulness” as Colossians 4:2 says? Is there a situation right now where you can practice this? ([39:30])
The sermon reminded us that God’s love is not just an idea but is made personal in Jesus, who adopts us as sons and daughters. How does knowing you are adopted by God change the way you see yourself or your circumstances? ([19:19])
The pastor encouraged us to let our gratitude overflow into acts of love and compassion for others, especially those who are hurting or in need. Who is one person you know who might need encouragement or help this week, and what is one practical thing you can do for them? ([01:00:50])
Communion was described as a reminder of God’s steadfast love that endured the cross and conquered death. How does participating in communion shape your understanding of God’s love and your response to it? ([46:35])
The sermon ended by encouraging us to express our love to others and let them know they are loved by us and by God. Is there someone you need to reach out to this week to share God’s love in a tangible way? What will you do? ([01:00:50])

Sermon Clips

The Psalmist is kind of making that same argument that once you begin to see God's love in creation and God's love and redemption, all of a sudden that love, God's love, jumps off the pages of Scripture and begins to be downloaded into your heart and transforms you. [00:24:17] (26 seconds) #LoveDownloadedInHeart

And he defines it as this. That God heard our cry at our lowly estate. And the God, out of love, hears our cries and lifts up redemption for us, makes a better day ahead of us. And of course, that factors even more for us, because God heard our cry and sent his son, Jesus Christ, to be a redeemer for us. Because he wants all that is broken in us to be transformed and made holy. That God just doesn't let us die on the vine. God makes a way home out of love. [00:31:10] (47 seconds) #GodHearsAndRedeems

``The steadfast love endures forever. The heartbeat of God. When we encounter that for ourselves, both this incredible God who created us in all of creation out of a heartbeat of love, and this God who gave himself on a cross for us, who loves us with a love that is forever. When that gets into focus, we're transformed. We're forever thankful. It's not a have to love God, it's a want to. [00:38:20] (47 seconds) #ForeverThankfulTransformed

Some people say, well, what happens when I'm in the waiting room? What happens when I'm in these times when things aren't so good? What do I do so that I can love God in these difficult places? Colossians4.2 says, Devote yourself to prayer, watching, and thankfulness. Meaning that our posture in the places of our difficulty is to have a conversation with God about it. And then to watch as God does something about it. And as we see God do that, we thank God. [00:39:10] (48 seconds) #PrayerInWaiting

And the reason we do that is because we know the heart of God is steadfast love, that he cares about the things that break our heart, and that we can watch him begin to redeem it over time. And then we can thank Him. [00:39:58] (24 seconds) #RedeemedFromBrokenness

Each one of these statements, the redemption statements that the psalmist is naming, came from a broken place. But you swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. The people of Israel were in a difficult place, and they cried out to God, oh, God, save us. And God responded by parting the Red Sea and destroying the enemy. But there was a waiting time before God acted and showed his love. [00:40:22] (35 seconds) #WaitingRoomFaith

And the reason we can wait in God's waiting room is because we know the heartbeat of God is love. God's love. And God's character is unchanging. God is perfect. He cannot change. He can only give us the very highest of his gifts. He gives us His Very self. And his word that he works all things together for for good. For those who love him and are called according to his purpose. [00:41:23] (33 seconds) #UnchangingGodsLove

There's so much to be thankful for. May God open our eyes to the love that he's expressed to us through creation. Enjoy a great thanksgiving meal. Enjoy your family. All gifts from God. And through redemption that what he started in you and me, he will complete one day. We will before the King of Kings. Full of glory, no shame. Totally perfected our best self. And he's working on it. And while he's working on it, we can hold to the truth that his steadfast love endures forever. [00:41:57] (41 seconds) #ThankfulForCreationAndRedemption

And that's one way to honor God is to enjoy the gifts he gives you and so get an extra helping of that turkey lather on the gravy. It's only a one time affair, just enjoy it. And most of all, find someone who might not know that you love them and express your love because life is fleeting and you want them to know that they're loved by you. And if possible, you might let them know that that love that you have is just but a tiny bit compared to the love that God holds them with. [01:00:57] (39 seconds) #EnjoyAndExpressLove

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