Gratitude: Embracing God's Providence in Every Circumstance
Summary
The sermon opens with a call to gratitude, drawing from Psalm 136:1-3 and the story of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan. The speaker underscores the importance of remembering and giving thanks for God's blessings, despite the Israelites' 40-year delay caused by ingratitude and complaining. The speaker presents seven reasons to be thankful, beginning with God's providence, and encourages the congregation to reflect on the ways God has provided for them.
The speaker shares a poignant story of an old man who visited a dilapidated bridge in Florida daily to appreciate the view and express gratitude to God. This tale exemplifies the importance of recognizing God's providence in all circumstances. The speaker then recounts the Israelites' experience in the wilderness, where God's blessings were abundant, and they lacked nothing. The audience is urged to remember and be grateful for God's provision in their lives.
A powerful narrative follows about Pastor Samuel in Mozambique, who survived devastating floods by clinging to tree limbs for two days. The biting mosquitoes kept him and others awake, preventing them from being swept away by the floodwaters. This story illustrates the unexpected ways God's plan can manifest and the importance of trusting in His presence and patience, even during life's wilderness seasons.
Another story is told of Captain Eddy, who, after a plane crash, survived at sea thanks to a seagull that provided sustenance and bait for catching fish. In gratitude, Captain Eddy fed seagulls every Friday evening in his retirement. The speaker uses this story to emphasize the importance of thanking God for His provision, productivity, perception, and plan in our lives. They suggest that every setback is a setup for a future comeback.
The sermon concludes by highlighting God's provision and faithfulness, as exemplified by the Israelites' clothes not wearing out and their feet not swelling during their 40 years in the wilderness. The speaker shares a personal reflection on the durability of their own clothing and cites Psalm 34:10 to affirm that those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing. The sermon leaves the congregation with a message of God's unwavering provision and faithfulness to those who seek Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Gratitude is a powerful spiritual discipline that can transform our perspective on life's challenges. The story of the Israelites' journey reminds us that a lack of gratitude can lead to unnecessary delays and hardships. By choosing to give thanks in all circumstances, we align ourselves with God's goodness and enduring love, which can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. [01:47]
- God's providence is evident even in the most broken and unlikely places, as illustrated by the old man who found beauty and a reason to give thanks at a rundown bridge. This teaches us that our circumstances do not define our capacity for gratitude. Instead, we can choose to see God's hand at work in every situation, no matter how imperfect it may seem. [03:43]
- Trusting in God's plan, even when it seems counterintuitive, can be life-saving. Pastor Samuel's story of survival through the annoyance of mosquito bites during a flood demonstrates that what may seem like a nuisance can actually be a blessing in disguise. This encourages us to look for God's purpose in our struggles and to remain thankful for His mysterious ways of provision. [16:55]
- Every setback we face has the potential to be a setup for a greater comeback. Captain Eddy's story of survival and subsequent gratitude practice shows us that the trials we endure can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and a commitment to giving back. Our challenges can become opportunities for growth and expressions of gratitude if we view them through the lens of God's redemptive plan. [11:22]
- The promise of God's provision is not just a historical account but a present reality. The speaker's personal testimony about the longevity of their clothing, alongside the biblical account of the Israelites' preserved garments, serves as a reminder that God knows and meets our needs. Seeking the Lord with a grateful heart ensures that we will lack no good thing, as His faithfulness extends beyond our understanding. [0:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 136:1-3: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever."
2. Deuteronomy 6:12: "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
3. Psalm 34:10: "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three reasons given in Psalm 136:1-3 for giving thanks to the Lord?
2. According to Deuteronomy 6:12, what are the Israelites warned not to forget? [05:15]
3. How does Psalm 34:10 describe the provision for those who seek the Lord?
4. What was the significance of the old man visiting the dilapidated bridge in Florida? [03:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan illustrate the consequences of ingratitude? [03:26]
2. In what ways does the story of Pastor Samuel in Mozambique demonstrate God's unexpected provision? [12:31]
3. How can Captain Eddy's practice of feeding seagulls be seen as an act of gratitude and remembrance? [07:00]
4. What does the speaker mean by saying that "every setback is a setup for a future comeback"? How does this perspective align with biblical teachings? [10:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can you find reasons to be grateful in that situation, similar to the old man at the bridge? [03:43]
2. Think about a time when you felt like you were in a "wilderness season." How did you see God's provision during that time, and how can you express gratitude for it now? [05:15]
3. Pastor Samuel thanked God for mosquitoes that kept him awake during a flood. Can you identify a "nuisance" in your life that might actually be a hidden blessing? How can you shift your perspective to see it as such? [12:31]
4. Captain Eddy's story shows the importance of giving back. Is there a way you can show gratitude through acts of service or kindness in your community? [07:00]
5. The Israelites' clothes did not wear out during their 40 years in the wilderness. Can you think of something in your life that has lasted longer than expected? How does this remind you of God's provision? [17:52]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life, especially during difficult times? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself to give thanks? [05:15]
7. The sermon emphasizes that those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing. How can you actively seek the Lord in your daily routine to experience His provision and faithfulness? [17:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude Transforms Perspective
Gratitude is not merely a response to what is good in life; it is a lens through which all of life can be viewed. The journey of the Israelites teaches that ingratitude can lead to stagnation and loss, while a thankful heart can propel one forward into God's blessings. Gratitude is an active choice, a discipline that can shift one's focus from what is lacking to the abundance of God's love and provision. [01:47]
Colossians 3:15-17 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude today, even for the small blessings that are easy to overlook?
Day 2: Finding Beauty in Brokenness
Even in the most desolate of places, beauty and reasons for gratitude can be found. The story of the old man and the bridge in Florida teaches that one's surroundings do not dictate the presence of God's providence. By choosing to see God's hand in every situation, gratitude becomes possible, transforming brokenness into a canvas of grace. [03:43]
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: What 'broken bridge' in your life can you view differently today, finding God's grace amidst the imperfection?
Day 3: Embracing God's Mysterious Ways
The story of Pastor Samuel in Mozambique reveals that God's provision often comes in unexpected forms. What may seem like a nuisance or a trial can be a hidden blessing, a part of God's intricate plan for survival and growth. Trusting in God's mysterious ways means looking for the divine purpose in every challenge faced. [16:55]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent difficulty where you might have overlooked God's provision? How can you trust in His greater plan moving forward?
Day 4: Setbacks as Setups for Comebacks
Every challenge faced is an opportunity for growth and a testament to God's redemptive plan. Captain Eddy's story of survival and his practice of gratitude exemplify how trials can deepen one's appreciation for life and inspire a commitment to giving back. Viewing setbacks as setups for comebacks can lead to a life marked by gratitude and purpose. [11:22]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: Reflect on a setback you've experienced. How can you reframe it as a setup for a future comeback?
Day 5: God's Provision is Our Present Reality
The durability of the Israelites' clothing during their wilderness journey is a testament to God's faithful provision. This historical account parallels the present reality that God knows and meets the needs of those who seek Him. With a grateful heart, one can be assured of God's unwavering faithfulness and provision. [0:00]
Deuteronomy 8:3-4 - "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years."
Reflection: How has God provided for you in ways you did not expect? In what ways can you seek the Lord more earnestly to experience His provision?
Quotes
"It's not often that we thank God for mosquitoes, right? We sometimes wonder if it was really necessary that they had a place, that even they had a place on Noah's Ark. But God has a plan at all times. Whether we can recognize it or not, God's plan is always the best plan. Will we trust him and trust his plan? I say yes." [15:04]
"How patient our God is. Think about the different times you blew it and how many times he dusts you off and says you're going to be okay. Man, I'm thankful for that. So thankful." [16:55]
"Thank God for making the work of your hands productive. Deuteronomy 2 and 7 says, The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands." [09:26]
"Thank God for his perception. Thank God that he understands you. Lord, I'm thinking, sometimes I don't even understand myself, but thank God you understand me." [11:22]
"Clothes didn't wear out and your feet did not swell during those 40 years. Thank God they didn't wear out." [0:00]
"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." [0:00]
"God loves a thankful heart. And many times we need reminders to thank God." #!!01:47!!#
"So what took them so long? I would say the Israelites forgot to thank God." #!!01:47!!#
"Here's Moses telling them, hey remember, remember that God your God, the Lord your God has blessed you. And because God has been with you, you have not experienced lack in anything." #!!03:43!!#
"Seven reasons for thanksgiving. Number one, providence. Thank God for his providence." #!!05:34!!#
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