Epistle Reading: 2nd Corinthians 2:14, 9:15, Ephesians 1:16, 2nd Thessalonians 5:18

Gospel Reading: Psalms 92

GOD's many gifts are abundant and plentiful. We are the recipients of these gifts. The scripture teaches us that GOD provides us with our needs (Matthew 6:26-33). As Jesus teaches from Matthew 6:30, GOD gives the ravens and fowl food and shelter. Since we are so much more then the fowl, we are given more, therefor we should be mindful of who gave these gifts. 

In Matthew 15, verse 36, Jesus gives thanks before He broke them to feed the multitude. Jesus fed four thousand people from the blessing His Father bestowed. 

David, the seventh son of Jesse, was the writer of the Psalms gave thanks to GOD through the Psalms. David had much to be thankful for. The book of 1st Chronicles speaks of the trials and tribulations of David. The period of which David lived was filled with harsh wars and severe living. Chapter ten tells of of one of the great enemies that confronted the country of Israel, David's country. The first verse tells us that the Philistines were the enemy of Israel and all who lived therein. We also know from this verse that the Philistines kill whoever gets in their way. Verses 2 through 6 speak of the massacre the befell many of the children of Israel. Verses 7 through 10 tells us of the barbaric behavior of what David calls heathens (Psalms 2).

The Philistines were a ruthless and unmerciless enemy, formidable and powerful in battle. Verse 14 of Chapter 10 tells of that the kingdom to which David lived in was turn over to him. David had much to be concerned over, for he now sat in the same throne of a previously murdered king.

Chapter 11, verses 8 through 12 speak of how David built up his city and army to protect them. Verse 14 tells of how David and his followers was delivered by the LORD from the Philistines. Chapter 11 continues to teach us of how David small army continued to devastate the Philistines. Verse 20 tells us of how one man slew 300 of the Philistines. A feat that would be impossible without the power and deliverance of the LORD.

David's many battles with the Philistines gave him many things to be thankful for. David depended solely on the guidance and strength of the LORD. Lets take a brief look at what David had to be thankful for. Psalms 2 speaks of being delivered from the heathen. Psalms 3 speaks of the large number of enemies David had to face. Against such impossible odds, David and his people were again delivered. Psalms 5 teaches us of the falsehood of people.

Psalm 69 tells of how David felt depressed and overwhelmed by the circumstances of his times. Psalm 109 speaks of men making false accusations and spreading lies. This existed even in Jesus' time when the pharisees brought false accusations against Jesus. Examples of David life and why he wrote the Psalms are many and still effect us even today.

Though we may not fight the bloody and violent wars as David did, we still have battles to face. Adversity, greed, anger, false accusations, temptations that can cause many to break their home and marriages, drugs, and alcohol are just a few of our enemies. Each of these enemies by themselves are quite formidable. When combined, as they often do, they can be overwhelming and devastating. Only the LORD can deliver us from these things. The LORD only helps those that call on him with a pure heart (2nd Timothy 2:22). In order to purify our hearts, we must first know that the gifts we receive come solely from the LORD (Hebrews 2:3-4).

Psalms 72, verses 9 through 18, cover every reason from our worldly needs of food to our spiritual needs of salvation.

"They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things."

Let us pray:

We thank you our LORD in heaven for your gracious blessing and for delivering us from the adversities we face in our daily lives. We ask, In your holy name, that we may always be mindful that the gifts we receive and the blessings of our lives are from you by your divine grace and will.

Amen.