Giving Thanks For Things That Survive
Pastor D.R. McKillop
December 4, 2011
Come BEFORE His presence with singing, enter his gates with THANKSGIVING, and into his courts with PRAISE: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
We must learn to rejoice not in the things that we have accumulated around us but in those things that will survive - things that will never change! After Job lost his possessions and family, he could still be heard saying, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”! David wrote about praise in Psalms he expounded not so much on the temporal things but on the unchanging mercy and goodness of the God of Israel.
Solomon’s temple was a magnificent edifice ... its splendour was beyond words. The furniture pieces were in place, sacrifices lay out on the altars, and priests in position as the people gathered for the dedication. With ONE voice EVERYONE lifted up praise and thanks to God as they sang, “GOD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER!” Then the temple was filled with a glory cloud to the point that the priests could not minister because of it!
Unity of purpose is an important factor among us not only to maintain our walk with God but also in regaining and rebuilding what had been lost.
When everyone responds to God with a unified sound of praise and thanksgiving, as we acknowledge that “GOD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.” There is no telling what God will do for us.
Thanks for temporal things are important but must be kept proportional to those things that will survive. We are what we are because of those things that will last throughout eternity! Focus on making adjustments in our carnal flesh and fixing those things that will survive and affect eternity.
WHAT WILL SURVIVE
· God's Tender Mercy
God’s Goodness
Truth
God's Love
Our response to things that will survive of the things that will stand must be praise and thanksgiving. These are more powerful that anything on earth. Jesus’ call of FORGIVENESS for mankind from the cross hook the whole earth, the veil separating God from man was rent in twain by a divine invisible hand and for the first time, Mercy came running to mankind!
Blessed in the man who God chooses and causes to approach Him. Have praise WAITING for God, forget not all His benefits. Praise for his intervention in temporal things should not be greater and louder than the praise for His goodness, mercy, forgiveness, redemption, or salvation. Praise until His glory descends and fills each and every temple of clay! Grasp on to the truths that He is good, slow to anger, and plenteous in tender mercy! Be thankful and say so!