Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

JUNE 8
Friday


READ:
1 Chronicles 16:8-12,
23-34
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Oh, give thanks to the
Lord, for He is good!
--1 Chronicles 16:34
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The beautiful hymn, "We Plow the Fields," is often sung in the United States during the Thanksgiving holiday period in Novermber. For me, it conjures images of families sharing a traditional feast during the harvest season.

But I was surprised when I heard it sung in church during the month of June, far removed from its traditional holiday context. It reminded me that giving thanks to God for His goodness and provision is to be a continuing celebration for His people.

For a special occasion of national celebration, King David wrote a song to guide his people in praising God on that day: "Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!...Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!" (1 Chron. 16:8,10). But the song endured as part of Israel's songbook of ongoing prasie (Ps. 105:1-15).

Two centuries ago, Matthias Claudius wrote:
We thank Thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good; The seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His love.
We have so much to be thankful for every day. God continually provides for all our needs. So let's make Thanksgiving a year-long celebration. __David McCasland
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For the Christian,
Thanksgiving is not just a day but a way of life.

~~~~~~Today's Bible Reading____1 Chronicles 16:8-12,23-34~~~~~~

8 Oh, give thanks to the
LORD! Call upon His name;
make known His deeds
among the peoples! 9 Sing
to Him, sing psalms to
Him; talk of all His
wondrous works! 10 Glory
in His holy name; let the
hearts of those rejoice who
seek the LORD! 11 Seek the
LORD and His strength;
seek His face evermore!

12 Remember His marvelous
works which He has
done...

23 Sing to the LORD, all the
earth; proclaim the good
news of His salvation from
day to day. 24 Declare His
glory among the nations,
His wonders among all
peoples. 25 For the LORD is
great and greatly to be
praised; He is also to be
feared above all gods. 26 For
all the gods of the peoples
are idols, but the LORD
made the heavens. 27 Honor
and majesty are before
Him; strength and gladness
are in His place. 28 Give to
the LORD, O families of the
peoples, give to the LORD
glory and strength. 29 Give
to the LORD the glory due
His name; bring an offering,
and come before Him. Oh,
worship the LORD in the
beauty of holiness!

30 Tremble before Him, all
the earth...32 Let the sea
roar, and all its fullness; let
the field rejoice, and all that
is in it. 33 Then the trees of
the woods shall rejoice
before the LORD, for He is
coming to judge the earth.

34 Oh, give thanks to the
LORD, for He is good! For
His mercy endures forever.
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Notice how the song builds. In verses 8-12, we see God's greatness in focusing on His name, works, glory, and strength. In verses 23-29, God is seen as superior to the gods of the world. In verses 30-34, the forces of creation rise to praise their Creator. It is a powerful song for wroshiping a powerful God. __WEC

[Mackenaw]

Gosh, was David awesome or what!!!!!!! Woooooohoooooo! I can't wait to meet him.

Thank you Cimi for sharing this beautiful message.

Love, hugs and God's blessings to you
Sister Mack