Thanksgiving Through God’s Past, Present, and Future Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Remembering God’s Past Faithfulness Fuels Present Thanksgiving

Reflecting on God’s past acts of mercy and deliverance gives us a foundation for gratitude, even when our current circumstances are difficult. The psalmist recalls how God showed favor, restored, forgave, covered sin, and turned away anger from His people, reminding us that our story is rooted in God’s gracious intervention. No matter what we face today, we can look back and see the evidence of God’s hand in our lives, and that alone is reason to give thanks. [05:46]

Psalm 85:1-3 (NASB)
O Lord, You showed favor to Your land;
You restored the captivity of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin. Selah.
You withdrew all Your fury;
You turned away from Your burning anger.

Reflection: What is one specific way God has shown you mercy or delivered you in the past that you can thank Him for today, even if your present situation feels challenging?

Day 2: God’s Holiness and Forgiveness—A Call to True Repentance

God’s holiness means He cannot tolerate sin, yet in His love, He offers complete forgiveness and covers our iniquity through Christ. This forgiveness is not a license to continue in sin, but a call to live in the freedom and gratitude of being made clean and acceptable before a holy God. When we truly grasp the depth of God’s holiness and the cost of our forgiveness, our hearts are moved to genuine repentance and a desire to walk in His ways. [13:01]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Reflection: Is there a sin or habit you’ve been excusing in your life? How does remembering God’s holiness and the cost of your forgiveness change your attitude toward it today?

Day 3: God’s Unchanging Character—Hope for Present and Future Needs

Because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can confidently bring our present needs and appeals to Him, trusting that He who restored and provided in the past will do so again. The psalmist’s prayers—“Restore us,” “Show us Your lovingkindness,” “Grant us Your salvation”—mirror God’s past actions and express faith in His unchanging nature. When we face uncertainty or struggle, we can boldly ask God to act, knowing He delights to show steadfast love to His people. [20:52]

Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God to “restore” or provide today? Will you bring it to Him in prayer, trusting His unchanging character?

Day 4: The Nearness of Salvation—God’s Readiness to Receive Us

God’s salvation is always near to those who fear Him, and no matter how far we may have wandered, He is only one step away, ready to receive us with open arms. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God longs for us to return, not to shame us, but to restore us, cover our brokenness, and welcome us home. Whether you are coming to Him for the first time or returning after many failures, His lovingkindness and truth meet you right where you are. [33:32]

Luke 15:20-24 (NASB)
So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Reflection: If you sense you’ve taken steps away from God, what is one practical step you can take today to “return” to Him and receive His welcome?

Day 5: Living with Confidence in God’s Future Promises

God promises that righteousness, truth, and peace will one day reign fully, and as followers of Jesus, we can live with hope and confidence in that coming reality. Even as we wait, we are called to live as people who have peace with God, surrendering every area of our lives to Him and trusting that His footsteps will lead us into His very presence. This assurance transforms our outlook on the future and empowers us to live thankfully and faithfully today. [35:45]

Revelation 21:3-4 (NASB)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Reflection: How does the promise of God’s future kingdom—where righteousness and peace will reign—shape the way you approach your struggles and decisions today?

Sermon Summary

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday; it’s a posture of the heart rooted in remembering God’s faithfulness, seeking His mercy in the present, and trusting His promises for the future. Psalm 85, written by the sons of Korah, beautifully captures this rhythm. The psalm begins by recalling God’s past acts—His favor, forgiveness, and restoration. These are not just ancient stories, but reminders that God has always been in the business of redeeming and restoring His people, whether from physical captivity or the bondage of sin. Even when we act like “Jacob”—falling back into old patterns—God’s grace is sufficient to restore us.

The psalm then shifts to the present, where the people cry out for God’s mercy and revival. These are not demands, but humble appeals, recognizing that only God can turn hearts and circumstances. The Hebrew word “shuv,” meaning “to turn” or “restore,” is repeated throughout, emphasizing that God alone can bring true renewal. We are invited to ask God to do again what He has done before, trusting that His character does not change.

Looking to the future, the psalmist expresses confidence that God will continue to act. The verbs move from past to present to future: God has restored, we ask Him to restore, and we trust He will restore. This progression leads us to a place of deep gratitude, knowing that God’s lovingkindness and truth, His righteousness and peace, will ultimately prevail. The psalmist’s assurance is not wishful thinking, but a settled confidence in God’s unchanging nature.

This perspective transforms how we approach Thanksgiving. Even if life is difficult, we can give thanks for God’s past faithfulness, His present mercy, and His future promises. We are reminded that peace with God is available, not because of our efforts, but because of Christ’s finished work. Whether we are coming to God for the first time or returning after wandering, He stands ready to receive us with open arms. True thanksgiving flows from recognizing that we have been given what we cannot lose: peace with God, secured by His steadfast love.

Key Takeaways

1. Remember God’s Faithfulness in the Past Reflecting on God’s past acts of favor, forgiveness, and restoration grounds us in gratitude. Even when we feel unworthy or have strayed, God’s history with His people assures us that He is always working for our good. This remembrance is not nostalgia, but a foundation for hope and thanksgiving. [05:46]
2. Appeal to God’s Mercy in the Present Our present needs and struggles are not hidden from God. Humbly appealing for His mercy and restoration acknowledges our dependence on Him. The repeated use of “shuv” reminds us that true change and revival come from God’s initiative, not our own striving. [20:22]
3. Trust God’s Promises for the Future Confidence in God’s future action is rooted in His unchanging character. The psalmist moves from what God has done, to what we ask Him to do, to what He will do. This forward-looking faith enables us to live with hope and gratitude, even when circumstances are uncertain. [25:10]
4. Peace with God Is Our Greatest Gift The ultimate assurance is that, through Christ, we have peace with God. This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness, restoration, and belonging. It is a gift we cannot earn or lose, and it shapes our identity and our thanksgiving. [35:45]
5. God’s Lovingkindness and Truth Are Inseparable God’s steadfast love is always joined with His truth and righteousness. We cannot separate His mercy from His holiness. True thanksgiving recognizes both—rejoicing in His grace while submitting to His truth, knowing that both are for our good and His glory. [34:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - Thanksgiving’s Origins and Mary Had a Little Lamb
[02:29] - Remembering God’s Past Faithfulness
[03:14] - Reading Psalm 85 Together
[04:49] - The Power of Past Verbs
[06:12] - God’s Acceptance and Restoration
[07:27] - Stories of Captivity and Freedom
[09:51] - Freedom from Sin’s Captivity
[12:08] - The Holiness of God
[13:33] - The Depth of Forgiveness
[15:29] - Grace, Salvation, and True Change
[19:41] - Present Appeals for Restoration
[20:22] - The Meaning of “Shuv” and God’s Unchanging Nature
[24:20] - Future Assurances and God’s Promises
[28:49] - Peace, Restoration, and Fearing God
[32:19] - Salvation Is Near and God’s Invitation
[34:19] - Lovingkindness, Truth, and the Coming Kingdom
[35:45] - Application: Do You Have Peace with God?
[41:04] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 85 (NASB) —
> 1 O Lord, You showed favor to Your land;
> You restored the captivity of Jacob.
> 2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
> You covered all their sin. Selah.
> 3 You withdrew all Your fury;
> You turned away from Your burning anger.
> 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation,
> And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.
> 5 Will You be angry with us forever?
> Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
> 6 Will You not Yourself revive us again,
> That Your people may rejoice in You?
> 7 Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord,
> And grant us Your salvation.
> 8 I will hear what God the Lord will say;
> For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
> But let them not turn back to folly.
> 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
> That glory may dwell in our land.
> 10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
> Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
> 11 Truth springs from the earth,
> And righteousness looks down from heaven.
> 12 Indeed, the Lord will give what is good,
> And our land will yield its produce.
> 13 Righteousness will go before Him
> And will make His footsteps into a way.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 85, what are some of the specific things God has done for His people in the past, according to verses 1-3? ([05:46])
The word “shuv” is repeated throughout the psalm. What does this word mean, and how is it used in the passage? ([20:22])
What requests do the people make to God in verses 4-7, and how do these requests relate to their current situation? ([19:41])
According to verses 10-13, what qualities or attributes of God are described as coming together, and what is the result for God’s people? ([34:19])

Interpretation Questions

The psalmist remembers God’s past acts of favor, forgiveness, and restoration. Why is it important for God’s people to look back and remember what He has done? How does this shape their attitude in the present? ([05:46])
The people’s appeals for mercy and restoration are described as humble requests, not demands. What does this teach about the right posture to have when coming to God with our needs? ([19:56])
The psalmist expresses confidence that God will act in the future because of His unchanging character. How does trusting in God’s character help believers face uncertain or difficult circumstances? ([25:10])
The psalm says that “lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” What does it mean that God’s love and truth, His mercy and holiness, are inseparable? Why is this important for understanding true thanksgiving? ([34:19])

Application Questions

The sermon said that remembering God’s faithfulness in the past is not just nostalgia, but a foundation for hope and thanksgiving. What is one specific way God has shown you favor, forgiveness, or restoration in your past? How can you remind yourself of this when you feel discouraged? ([05:46])
The Hebrew word “shuv” means “to turn” or “restore.” Is there an area in your life right now where you need God to “turn” or restore you? What would it look like to humbly ask God for this, rather than trying to fix it on your own? ([20:22])
The psalmist’s confidence in God’s future action is based on God’s unchanging nature. When you think about your future, do you tend to worry or trust? What is one promise of God you can hold onto this week when you feel anxious about what’s ahead? ([25:10])
The sermon said that peace with God is our greatest gift, something we cannot earn or lose. Do you feel like you are living out of that peace, or are there areas where you are still striving to earn God’s acceptance? What would it look like to rest in Christ’s finished work? ([35:45])
The psalm reminds us that God’s lovingkindness and truth are always joined together. Are there times when you want God’s mercy but struggle to accept His truth or commands? How can you grow in rejoicing in both His grace and His holiness? ([34:19])
The sermon mentioned that even if life is difficult, we can give thanks for God’s past faithfulness, present mercy, and future promises. What is one hard thing you are facing right now, and how can you practice thanksgiving in the middle of it? ([38:02])
The story of the prodigal son was used to illustrate God’s readiness to receive us when we return. Is there a place in your life where you need to “come home” to God? What is holding you back, and what step could you take this week to return to Him? ([33:32])

Sermon Clips

Did you know something, church? Jesus forgives sinners who turn from their sin and place their faith in him. If you're a follower of Jesus, you may not have anything else going on in your life worthy of thanking God for, but you can thank God that you're headed for heaven because of what Jesus did and because of his right position that you've surrendered to in your life. He restored Jacob from captivity. [00:06:31] (34 seconds) #FaithSecuresHeaven

Or for us, it could be the captivity of being mastered by sin. Romans chapter six, verse 14 says, you are a slave to sin. You're a slave to whoever is master over you. And if you are a follower of Jesus, you've been set free. You don't have to sin anymore. You say, well, then why do I struggle with sin? Because that old nature is dead, but it's like dying in a cowboy movie. Stumbling this way, stumbling this way, right? It just won't die. [00:10:19] (34 seconds) #FreedomFromSin

We forget that God is a holy God. And because he's holy, that means that he does not and cannot allow sin to live in his presence. That's why Jesus had to come and live a perfect life that can be counted for us and die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty so that we could be forgiven and made clean and declared acceptable to God. So we have a holy God who says to people who are his children, there are some things in this life you ought not do. [00:12:35] (34 seconds) #HolinessMatters

God forgave their sin means that he had taken away the punishment of their punishable offense. There are many in our world today that want to make the cross be something other than what it was. And what it was was the brutal torture and death of the Son of God that could be counted for the payment of our sin. To reduce it to something else or to reduce Jesus to something else is to cheapen it and to make a mockery of the plan of God. [00:13:33] (35 seconds) #TheCrossPaidItAll

How much does God know? Everything. When does he know it? All the time. So when we confess our sin to God, are we giving him new information? I mean, it's God's elbow and the angel next to him going, Who was supposed to tell me they did that? No, he knows it. And here's the thing. He covers it. It's covered under the blood of Jesus. But it's not covered so that we can just continue on. [00:14:31] (28 seconds) #GodKnowsAll

If you truly are born again, you will want to live for Jesus. And as you are running after Jesus with all your heart and straining and striving, like Paul said, I press on toward the prize of the high calling of God. You needn't worry that if you fail, and you will fail along the way, that God's going to cast you out because you didn't try hard enough. No. What did Jesus say? Once you're in the Father's hand, no man can pluck you out. [00:16:10] (36 seconds) #HeldInFathersHand

Do you realize if you've come to a point in your life where you've become a follower of Jesus, God kept you alive to get you to that point, and he's keeping you alive now, he could have dropped you into the gaping jaws of hell. You say, well, my God doesn't send anybody to hell. No, they send themselves. We're all without excuse. [00:31:00] (25 seconds) #VictoryInJesus

God may have brought you here, and it's that close. It's that close to you. I'm going to say this, too, to some of the saved people in the room, some of you who are followers of Jesus. You may have messed up in life, and you may have taken a thousand steps away from God, but here's the reality. He is only one step back. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God is there calling to you, saying, return, I've been waiting. [00:33:13] (26 seconds) #ThankfulForSalvation

By the way, can I just real quick, I want to shoot you forward a little bit in your Bible to the book of Revelation. Jesus wins, and if you're on his side, you win because he wins. And there's coming a day when there will be a new heaven and a new earth where he will live and we will live in his midst, and we will see him as he is, and his presence will light the land, and there will be no sin. There will be no sorrow. There will be no sickness. [00:34:48] (35 seconds) #HopeInRighteousness

And those are great things, and we want our kids to be thankful for those things. But we have something far greater than that, something that we can't lose. What did Jim Elliott say? He is no fool who gives what he can't keep to receive what he can't lose. Do you have peace with God? Do you live like you have peace with God? [00:38:45] (23 seconds)

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