TEXT: PSALM 145: 7-12

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

INTRODUCTION

We are indebted to God because all that we have comes from Him. We don’t deserve the gift of life and all the blessings attached, but He gave it to us freely.

So, God deserves our thanksgiving. When we thank God for being the giver of all good gifts, we realize that we could not even exist without His blessings.

Therefore, returning thanks to the giver of all shows God that we are grateful for what He has done. We must come to that state of knowing that all we have comes from God. He expects us to show gratitude for all His benefits towards us (James 1:17).

Imbibing a daily attitude of rendering thanksgiving to God will drive our focus on blessings rather than our wants. We are instructed to thank God for everything, whether good or bad (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Giving thanks to God in facing life’s challenges takes away grief and sadness. But when we live without gratitude to God, we become self-centered and arrogant.

GRATITUDE: OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE

Indeed God’s grace has been showered upon us in all ramifications. I know that every one of you could tell stories of how you have experienced God’s grace since the beginning of the year. As we entered the month of gratitude let your heart overflow with gratitude toward God, who is the source of all good gifts you have enjoyed.

The bible made it clear that “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are various ways to respond to God’s grace. We can respond through obedience, kindness and joining God in his work. But the first and best response when we really take to our hearts God’s grace is gratitude.

This should be the starting point to appreciate God for all what he has done for us. We have many reason to give gratitude to God according to our passage.

Our text this month is Psalm 145:7-12. But the story that informed this psalm is David’s experience after when he returned the Ark of covenant to Israel. If you are a Bible reader you will remember that David was able to returned the Ark of covenant successfully after the second time after he failed in the first attempt.

The successful return informed his sacrifice and the exceptional dance that his wife, Michal frowned at saying that the king disgraced himself. David sang Psalm 145 to acknowledged the grace God bestowed upon him to become King over Israel.

So, David reminded Michal of the goodness and grace of God upon his life. From David gestures, behaviour, dance and response is where I want to bring out what should be our response to God’s grace over our lives not only for this year even forever.

From the account in 2 Samuel 6:14-22, I like to discuss seven(7) thinking mentality you must embrace as an approach to responding to God’s grace.

THINK COMING TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Respond by coming to the Presence of God. – vs 14. Although, the presence of God could be felt and experience anywhere but there is a special joy when you gather with other children of God to celebrate the grace of God in your life. David said in Psalms 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

The Bible also says in Psalms 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

In verse 14 of 2 Samuel 6, the Bible says “And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” God appreciate it when his children gathered together to celebrate his grace and goodness.

THINK PRAISE

Responding to God’s grace calls for Praise- vs 15. In verse 15, the Bible says “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.”

The application of this is that David and his people came prepared to praise God with different kind of musical instruments. Psalm 150:3-5 says “Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.”

THINK LEAPING AND DANCING WITHOUT RECALL TO ANYBODY’S MOOD

Responding to God’s grace calls for leaping and dancing without looking at anybody’s face – vs -16. The Bible says King David leap and dance before the Lord. One means of giving gratitude is to express our heart by dancing unto God.

Dancing is mentioned often in the Bible and is used throughout the Old Testament as a means of worship and praise to God. Jeremiah 31:12-13 says “12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

13 Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” As you give gratitude to God this month through your dance, all the above prophecy will come to pass in your life in Jesus name.

THINK SACRIFICIAL GIVING

Respond by giving sacrificially, giving special gifts/offering- vs 17. 2 Samuel 6:12 also revealed that David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. We can appreciate God’s gesture of grace by giving our substances to the work of God. This must be done cheerfully because God appreciate a cheerful giver.

THINK KINDNESS

Respond to God’s grace by extending kindness to others- vs 18-19. Another method of responding to God’s grace is by sharing the grace through our kindness to others around us. See people needs and meet them.

God expected that the grace he has bestowed upon us should serve as blessings to people around us. David exhibited this in verses 18 to 19, the Bible says “And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women and men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed everyone to his house.

THINK SHARING WITH YOUR HOUSEHOLD

By sharing with your household – vs 20, Let your immediate family also know that God has been good to you.

When we are responding to God’s grace our household must not be left out. After blessing the people, the Bible says “Then David returned to bless his household………” Don’t be selfish share God’s grace with your household.

THINK SHARING TESTIMONIES

Respond by sharing your testimonies of God’s grace- vs 21-22 because they may not know the source or reasons for your celebration. Our gratitude is not complete if we failed to share the story of God’s grace to people around us. Let people know what God has done in your life. By doing this you are spreading the good news.

You will also do well to encourage others that there is hope for them. Testimonies are the proof or evidence of the grace of God upon our lives. It also pave way for more grace. May you continue to enjoy God’s grace all the days of your life in Jesus name.

Happy new month. You will have cause to give gratitude to God throughout the month in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Pray and thank the Lord for bringing you this far and for all His benefits towards you.- Psalm 68:19.
2. Pray and thank God for always being there whenever you call on Him and for His protection, provision, and strength in your life – Psalm 18:3
3. Pray and thank God for the precious gift of Salvation. “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation” -Psalm 18:46.
4. Thank God for making you victorious over sin and all the devices of the devil: “But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” -1 Corinthians 15:57.
5. Pray and thank God for the privilege to be at His service and to tell of His wonderful works to others. “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people” – Psalm 105:1.
6. Give thanks to the Lord that turned your mourning into dancing; for being your hope when all else fails.
7. Father, I thank you for your goodness and loving-kindness towards me and my family. For the strength, for peace and joy, I thank you.
8. Father, thank you, Lord, for what you are doing in me and through me. Thank you, Lord, for the love and unity that binds my household. Thank you, Jesus.
9. Lord, I thank You for surrounding me with testimonies on every side. Thanks for my victory in Christ Jesus.
10. Thank you, Father God, for your blessings upon my family. You are marvelous in your dealings with us.
11. I thank You, Lord, for grace; grace to emerge and manifest your glory as true son or daughter of Christ in Jesus name.
12. Father, I believe that you have been such a good father to me and you are worthy of the highest praises.- Psalm 100:4
13. Please help me to remember all the good that you have bestowed on me this year and be thankful for the least of it – Psalm 9:1
14. I am thankful that I can trust you with my life, God, because you are the promise keeper that never goes back on your word- Numbers 23:19
15. Father, I want to thank you for all; for everything that is working in my life and even for the things that are not working yet, in the name of the Lord Jesus -1 Thessalonians 5:18
16. Father, I thank you for my life, work, family, ministry and career. I thank you Lord in all that I do and in all that I say; my words and actions are to your praise, in Jesus name – Colossians 3:17
17. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. – Psalm 9:1.
18. To him who is able to keep me from falling and to present me before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, I praise and magnify your names in my life -Jude 1:24.
19. I give you thanks, O Lord, for not allowing the enemies to see my end. Thank you Jesus.
20. I give thanks to my God always because your grace has kept me from sickness and afflictions – 1 Corinthians 1:4