“8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk
ye of all his wondrous works.” (1Ch 16:8-9 AV)
The direct context here doesn’t add too much to the plain meaning of the verses above. The context is the return of the ark to Jerusalem where it would abide under the tent of the tabernacle. The two verse above is part of the psalm David wrote and sang for the occasion. This was a grand occasion. The ark was taken by the Philistines when David’s predecessor, Saul, went into battle against them. It was returned to the Hebrews upon God cursing the Philistines. However, it lay idle in the home of a farmer and did not return to Jerusalem under the tabernacle for a few years. Now, David wishes to honor the LORD by placing the most sacred of all items in its rightful place. Back into the holy of holies. This was quite an affair. Israel, from the north, south, east, and west gathered for this event. There was feasting, music, and celebration over bringing this ark back to the tabernacle where it belonged. In the overflowing joy of the occasion, David challenges Israel to give thanks to God and brag on Him to all who have ears. What struck the heart this morning is the lack of such in the heart of today’s believer. The challenge above, although stated in a time of celebration, should be done always. Regardless of circumstances.
During this time of COVID
and other challenges not faced by my generation, it is easy to become a bit cynical. It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the
negative. When God’s people had it set
in their minds our nation and the world might be headed in a more godly direction,
we are now discouraged by the rapid decline into wickedness the world seems bent
on pursuing. It is easy to cease our
celebrations. It is easy to forget all
that God has done. It is easy to think things
are only going to get worse. This may be
our perception of reality at the moment, but it is no excuse to cease speaking
of God’s faithfulness and goodness towards the children of men. If anything, it is a time to do just the
opposite. The world can see the ark
returning and understand the rejoicing which they are seeing. However, turn these circumstances on its head
and see the saints rejoicing, that would be odd.
One of our favorite Christmas movies is The Grinch. Almost everyone knows the story. The Whos in Whoville are completely obsessed with Christmas. The closer it gets to the holiday, the crazier it becomes. The story is intended to mirror our treatment of the holiday. A comparison it accomplishes quite well. As you know, the Grinch is a Who who does not like Christmas. He was hurt by his classmates one Christmas long ago and retreated to Mount Crumpit where all the discarded presents eventually wind up. In trying to make amends, little Cindy Lou Who invites the Grinch to the Whoville Celebration. The Grinch is voted the Cheermister. All things are going splendidly until the mayor rips off the sab of the old insult the Grinch suffered way back in grade school. The Grinch settles in his mind that he is going to steal Christmas. Successfully commandeering everything related to Christmas while masquerading and Santa Claus, the Grinch believes he has succeeded. He sits atop his Mount Crumpit as the sun rises expected to hear great wails of sorrow. But instead, he hears all the Whos joined in chorus singing their Christmas hymn. This one act of gratitude and praise changes the heart of the Grinch.
It is easy to sing and praise the LORD in the good times. However, doing so rarely reaches a lost and dying world. However, if we were to have the same demeanor in challenging times, the eyes of the wicked are upon us. When we praise the LORD for His goodness and faithfulness when the world thinks we have nothing to be grateful for, it changes hearts. When Naaman the leper was ill with leprosy, it was the gratitude and faithfulness of a servant girl who was kidnapped from her home in Israel who shared with her master the solution to his problem. When Joseph served Pharaoh and his family arrived, because of Joseph's heart he was able to introduce Pharaoh to the God of the Hebrews. When Daniel chose to pray to the LORD, it was his heart of gratitude and praise that turned the heart of a pagan king. Many miracles come in bad times rather than in good times. In those bad times, if we are ever so grateful voicing our praise before a world that would not understand, it is that evidence that often softens the hardest of hearts towards a God who gives grace. So, let us sing of and declare the wonderful works of God towards those who would do us harm and see if the LORD won’t soften those hearts because of it.
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