Gratitude and its Benefits

Gratitude and its Benefits

(Jeremiah 30:17-20)

17 여호와의 말씀이니라 그들이 쫓겨난 자라 하매 시온을 찾는 자가 없은즉 내가 너의 상처로부터 새 살이 돋아나게 하여 너를 고쳐 주리라 ¹⁷ For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

18 여호와께서 말씀하시니라 보라 내가 야곱 장막의 포로들을 돌아오게 할 것이고 그 거처들에 사랑을 베풀 것이라 성읍은 그 폐허가 된 언덕 위에 건축될 것이요 그 보루는 규정에 따라 사람이 살게 되리라 ¹⁸ Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

19 그들에게서 감사하는 소리가 나오고 즐거워하는 자들의 소리가 나오리라 내가 그들을 번성하게 하리니 그들의 수가 줄어들지 아니하겠고 내가 그들을 존귀하게 하리니 그들은 비천하여지지 아니하리라 ¹⁹ And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

20 그의 자손은 예전과 같겠고 그 회중은 내 앞에 굳게 설 것이며 그를 압박하는 모든 사람은 내가 다 벌하리라 ²⁰ Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.

 

 

1. Priest William Law (1686-1761) said that the quickest way to find happiness is to be thankful in all circumstances: "If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness, and all perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to yourself, to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.

 

For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, you turn it into a blessing. [Would] you know who is the greatest saint in the world?

 

It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God willeth, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”


2. John Miller said that one’s happiness was dependent on the depth of one’s thankfulness.

 

3. Navy officer, Kawakami Kiichi returned home of Japan after World War II. He saw what was left of his beloved home and was filled with anger. Every day he let his discontent and grievances get the better of him made sure they were known. As time passed, he became ill and he was unable to move.

 

His doctor didn’t prescribe him any medication. Rather, he told Kiichi to say “Thank you” at least 10,000 times every single day. He begrudgingly followed his doctor’s orders and mumbled “thank you” under his breath constantly.

 

One day, Kawakami Kiichi’s son offered him a piece of fruit. He said thank you and when he reached out to take it, he was cured and was able to move again.

 

Discontent, complaints, and resentment can make you physically sick. But gratitude can cure it. Happiness enters through thankfulness, but it can also leave through contempt.  Those who are always happy are those who are always thankful.

 

Today’s scripture was directed to the Israelites who had been captured as prisoners of Babylon. God declares that He will free them and heal them of all illnesses. He promises to give them better benefits when they proclaim their thankfulness.

 

Today, on this Festival of Harvest Sunday, I will talk about what these values and benefits are.

 

A) First, God said that He would multiply them.

 

1. “And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few.” (Verse 19)

2.  All of us today are living as freed prisoners. We have been freed from the shackles of sin, Hell, and death. We are free in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. All of this is from God’s grace.

 

3. Thomas á Kempis said that God blesses those who are humble and thankful but He takes His blessing from those who are arrogant.

 

4. One year the nation of Germany as a whole fell on hard times. Compared to the country’s overall economic state, there was an old couple who was living relatively well.

 

This couple decided that they would help feed the hungry children by giving them each a loaf of bread. The old man brought a basket full of bread outside and called to the children, “Children! There is enough bread here for each of you to have one loaf. Come and get it!”

 

The children took every last loaf and fought over the bigger pieces. The same thing happened the next day. one little girl named Gretchen was always last and ended up with whatever bits of bread were left behind. But she never forgot to say, “Thank you.”

 

Then one day, Gretchen had taken the last and smallest loaf of bread as usual. But when she tore the loaf, she found six silver coins embedded in the bread. Surprised, she showed this to the old man and woman.

 

“These coins were placed in the smallest loaf for the child who always showed gratitude. This is a gift from us to you.” The couple had taken heart to Gretchen’s thankfulness, even when she had always ended up with the smallest loaf, and rewarded her. Blessings come to those who are always grateful.

5. We all know that we should be thankful for all of God’s blessings, but it is easy for us to forget. God blesses those who remember and give thanks even when others think they were given the short end of the stick. Be thankful and doors to bigger blessings will open.

 

B) Second, God said that He would make their lives beautiful.

 

1. “I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.” (Verse 19)

 

An old woman had been bedridden for 16 years. She lived in continuous pain and wasn’t able to move any of her limbs. But despite her situation, the woman still found a way to be thankful every day.

 

She was thankful for being able to still use her thumbs because it allowed her to turn the pages on her Bible, use a straw to drink tea, and eat delicious meals. People around her were baffled by her ability to stay positive. When asked how she could still be thankful after all she’s been through, the old woman simply replied, “It is because God is with me.”

 

When we have God, we have no reason to fear or despair. True thankfulness during adversity cannot be mustered up on our own accord. We are not strong enough to do that.

 

We can only be thankful through God’s power. It is God who gives us the strength to be grateful. When God is in us and we are thankful we are able to make the world better for ourselves and everyone around us.

2. Cicero said, “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.”

 

Some people face a small bump on their peaceful path and blame God for their hardships. Others see a tiny ray of light to guide them on their dark and rough path and thank God for His grace.

 

There are people living in castles with endless riches who find ways to be unhappy. But there are also people who live with just the clothes on their backs and are able to be thankful. Those who can find gratitude are those who are true Christians.

 

C) Third, God said they would receive the benefit of establishment.

 

1. “Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.” (Verse 20)

 

A firm establishment for faith is rooted in thankfulness. When people are not satisfied with what they have, they resort to discontent, frustration, resentment, and despair. But those who are satisfied with what they have, no matter how little, are able to exemplify thankfulness.

 

2. Writer Bernard Shaw said there are two tragedies in his life. The first is that there are many things that do not go his way. The second is that when things do go his way, he still falls into despair. Things are tragic for him even when things go his way.

 

When we see those less fortunate than us, we gain perspective and become more thankful. We become grateful for our clean clothes, a warm meal, and our health. We find happiness in just being alive. We may not have much, but we must sing praises and give thanks for being able to breathe and worship God.

 

Today’s sermon will close with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

 

 

 

070619 ik sun ahn