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Thanks and Praise
Joel 2:21-27, Matthew 6:25-33
November 23, 2006

The best time to receive a reminder about the attributes of God is not necessarily when times are hard, and we are down… but when all is going fine. When all is fine it is easy to think that we are blessed because we are getting everything right… we think because we are having a good experience that means that we are in God’s will. But that is not always the case and it was not during the life of the prophet Joel. Israel was in a good place, or so they thought. But their wealth came during a period where people were complacent and sin abounded.

Joel put forth a warning… “when all is well don’t forget to remember God…” “watch your step…” “don’t let your guard down.” His warnings were stern. He feared that if Israel did not get it together they would face God’s wrath. Hard times and pestilence would come if they did not remain faithful in the time of peace. After calling for repentance, Joel lays out the frightening realities of the judgment to come. He explains that because God’s people have turned their hearts away from His ways, locusts will come and devour their crops… the vines will yield no fruit and the ground will dry up from drought.

But Joel does not leave the people without hope. He shares God’s promise as well. Just when it seems that he might go on and on with a message of doom, Joel’s prophesies take an encouraging turn. Then he declares that when people repent they will experience the day of the Lord.

Here is where my sermon begins this holiday weekend… for religious American’s the Thanksgiving season represents gratitude towards God… in this midst of all that occurs personally, nationally and across our world… this is the time that our country lays aside to thank the Lord. No matter how hard things get if you look hard enough or sit in God’s presence long enough you will always come up with a reason to praise the Lord. I promise… and Joel does too.

He says “hey Israel”… you do not always get it right… and God knows that… but if you would only turn your hearts over to him… God will bless you again… yes… the locusts came down and destroyed your crops… but turn your hearts over to Him and the Lord will restore what they locusts have eaten!!

The coming of the locusts is a prophetic warning that has not yet come true, but God is promising the people that when things get tough, and they will… and when you feel down and you will… trust me and you will see that I will bring you through and even if you feel at fault because of what you are going through… trust me, because one day what you think is a curse, will be reversed.

Joel gives a people, who are about to face a rough time as a nation, a reason to be grateful… and I think that that is what Thanksgiving is for. For years I have shared a verse from Joel with people who were unsure or down… who just needed a reason to believe. “The Lord will give back,” Joel promises, “all that was taken from you.”… either in this life or beyond if you place your faith in him. He will restore what the enemy has destroyed whether you had a part in it or not… he will reverse your shame whether you brought it on yourself or not… God will faithfully repair what needs to be fixed in your life either in this world or life eternal… and you can trust Him. That having been said we all have something to thank God for – first among them being grace! God will lift up all those who call on his name, and forgive everyone who sincerely comes before him.

Now let me be clear, what God restores is our relationship with him. He may not reverse the consequences or erase the pain… but he can bring joy again. God promises to meet our deepest needs by loving us, forgiving us, giving us purpose in life and providing a caring Christian community… on those promises we can stand.

And that is not to say that God is not concerned with our physical wants and needs in life. He addresses those things too when he says… cast your cares on me, don’t worry… I’ve got you covered. If I love the birds in the air enough to make sure that every day they eat… if I dress the fields with beautiful flowers and trees that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow… how much more do you think that I must love the only creature that I created to represent me – in my image, with God-breathed life… and gave my only son for?

If I care for the grass and many creatures of the earth that co-exist in relative harmony than how much more do you think that I must care for and be concerned about you… but you must trust me… and if you truly trust then worry has no place.

Yet, we worry don’t we? Are the kids o.k.? Will the test results be all right?… Why isn’t he or she talking to me?… Will my marriage survive?… Who’ll take care of all of the bills?… What if it’s my time to go?… Can I? Will I?… Should I?.. Won’t I?... The language of worry. Worry will not add a single moment to our lives, says God… As a matter of fact, it could take a few away… the doctors say.

Trust God… then just thank him. Thank him for the opportunity to praise his name. Thank him for bringing friends, family and a great church your way. Thank him for his promises that it will all be all right one day. In that great day there’ll be no more tears. No reason to fear. If we truly seek God’s kingdom – first – we can anticipate that day. If we work toward the rewards that won’t rust and can’t be stolen… the immaterial, immeasurable treasures of God… he will see to our needs on this earth, because he knows what we need.

In times of war – he knows what we need. In times of depression and oppression – he knows what we need. In times of confusion, uncertainty and even desperation – he knows what we need. He will not forget. He will not forsake. He will not abandon.

Conversely, in times of prosperity – let us not forget. God is the provider. In times of fun and happiness – let us not forget. True joy comes only from living the ways of God. God will not forget. Therefore, let us not forget. God will be there for us every time, in every situation, which is something for which we can always thank him. Amen.

Rev. Faith Green Timmons

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