November 19, 2025
Give Thanks! #
Psalm 105:1-12
Introduction
This is a long Psalm, and the second part of it is really the history of Israel. It is a great read, and I encourage you to re-read it after church, and see what is listed that God did for Israel.
However, I want to focus on the first half of the Psalm. The first half of the Psalm is the Education, whereas the second half of the Psalm is the Example. The first half Educates us on what we are to do, where the second half of the Psalm gives us a great Example of how God worked. It stands as an excellent example because it takes the history of the nation of Israel, how God gave them their land, then God sent Joseph ahead to make arrangements (17), to be there for preparation for Israel.
Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Let’s pause right here, and stop, and recognize, not everything that happened in Joseph’s life was good! Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers!!! How many if that happened to you, would say, well, praise the Lord that is a blessing!
Psalm 105:17–19 —17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
Though things may seem bad… they are really not.
Chinese Farmer’s Illustration
The Chinese Farmer (Severe Ending Version)
There was once an old farmer whose only horse ran away. The neighbors came to commiserate.
“How awful!” they said. The farmer replied, “Maybe.”
A week later, the horse returned—bringing with it a small herd of wild horses.
“How wonderful!” the neighbors exclaimed. The farmer said, “Maybe.”
Soon after, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the wild horses. It threw him violently, and he broke his leg.
“How terrible!” cried the neighbors. The farmer responded, “Maybe.”
Not long afterward, the emperor’s army passed through the village, drafting every able-bodied young man to go to war. Because the farmer’s son had a broken leg, he was left behind.
“What good fortune!” the neighbors said.
But the war that followed was long and brutal. None of the young men who had been taken ever returned.
We do not always understand every thing that happens, or truly if it is good or bad.
I. Say Thanks (1) #
A. Direction - “unto the LORD” #
i. Recognize God in your life #
Proverbs 3:5–6 —5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
ii. Thank the LORD that he is in control… and you can trust him. #
B. Call upon his name #
C. Let others know. – Share your faith. #
II. Sing (2) #
A. To the LORD #
B. Sing Psalms #
• Psalm – a sacred song or hymn; a song composed on a divine subject and in praise of God.
C. Let others know #
III. Share (3) “Glory in his name” #
• Glory (as a verb) – to exult with joy, to rejoice 2. boast to be proud of
A. About his holy name! #
B. Find joy in hardship “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD” #
i. Joy in the heart #
ii. For those who are seeking the LORD #
IV. Seek (4) “Seek the LORD” #
A. Seek the LORD #
• Many people get upset with God when things don’t go their way. • Remember, it is not your plan, your life, it is God’s! He redeemed us (bought us).
B. Seek his strength #
• God will strengthen you through the hardship and trials. • We don’t have the strength, but God does!
C. Seek his face evermore #
• In the “good” and in the “bad” seek the LORD, be faithful to Him. Don’t BLAME Him.