Special Thanksgiving Edition!

Psalm 147 is a great Psalm for Thanksgiving. Read it at the table before you eat:

1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion,
13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD.

As I read this Psalm, I was thankful that God:

• Builds up my "city" (family and friends)... v 2
• Gathers me to his heart when I feel unwanted... v2
• Heals my broken heart... v 3
• Binds up my wounds... v 3
• Sustains me in my humility... v 6
• Delights in me as I fear (reverence) him and hope in him... v 11
• Secures me with his strength... v 13
• Grants me peace in my relationships and emotions... v 14
• Satisfies me with the Living Bread come down from heaven... v 14
• Reveals his Word to me so that I understand his will... vv 19-20

As you look at these reasons for gratitude, go around the table and briefly respond to them from personal experience. Share your reasons to be thankful before you eat your Thanksgiving meal. Make it truly a celebration of the goodness of God and the gratitude of his children! Then, as you "break bread together" your Thanksgiving will be a time to "Praise the LORD!