Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 24, 2013

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Before You Carve the Turkey: A Psalm for Thanksgiving” Psalm 107 11/24/13

This morning, in anticipation of Thanksgiving Day, we will turn our attention to Psalm 107. This psalm likely was composed as a praise song of regathering which followed the exile experience of Judah. It is part of a trilogy of praise psalms (105,106,107) which was used in ancient worship and was, obviously, “written for our instruction.” Structurally, we will want to note the utilization of the device of repetition in the emphases of verses 8/15/21/31 (steadfast love) and verses 6/13/19/28 (cried/delivered). This structure forms the foundation for a profound exposition of the concept of gratitude to God. Gratitude is a key component of biblical spirituality. Giving thanks to God is to be a distinctive practice of the people of God. At the top of our list should be gratitude for His mercy. This Thursday, before we carve the turkey, we must not forget to thank God. When we recognize God’s mercy as the greatest gift of all, our hearts will overflow with true thanksgiving.

I. Receive the instruction (1-3)
-summons to thanksgiving

-active acknowledgement

-of who God is: good and merciful

-of what God does: redeems and gathers

II. Trace the testimonies
-the restoration of the estranged (4-9)

-the release of the enslaved (10-16)

-the relief of the afflicted (17-22)

-the rescue of the endangered (23-32)

III. Observe the Lord’s administration (33-43)
-He uses adversity and prosperity

-the compelling constant

-the miracle of mercy

IV. So What?
-let the gift direct you to the Giver behind it

-humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?

-trace “the rainbow through the rain” (George Matheson)

-“O let the saints with joy record
The truth and goodness of the Lord.
How great His works! How kind His ways!
Let every tongue pronounce His praise. (Isaac Watts)