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Give Thanks to God · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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We're going to begin our worship just now by singing to God's praise.
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We're going to sing from Psalm 92 in the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 92, verse 1 to verse 6.
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! We're going to sing this to the tune, The Bays of Harris.
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We're coming with thanksgiving to God, and it says here,
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To render thanks unto the Lord, it is a comely thing.
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And to thy name, O thou, most high, do you praise aloud to sing.
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Thy lovingkindness to show forth when shines the morning light.
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And to declare thy faithfulness with pleasure every night.
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We'll stand to sing from verse 1 to 6 to God's praise.
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To render thanks unto the Lord, it is a comely thing.
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And to thy name, O thou, most high, do you praise aloud to sing.
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Thy lovingkindness to show forth when shines the morning light.
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And to declare thy faithfulness with pleasure every night.
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On Athens' ringed instrument upon the psaltery.
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And on the harp with solemn sound and great sweet melody.
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For thy Lord, by thy mighty words,
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Has made my heart bright glad.
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And I will triumphed in the works which by thy hands were made.
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How great Lord, by thy words,
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Each thought of thine, the deep it is.
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A British man, it knoweth not,
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Those understand not this.
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When those land good and wicked have,
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Spring quickly up like grass,
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And work our children,
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And work our children iniquity,
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To flourish all our peace.
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Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.
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Let us pray.
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Our gracious Lord,
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We thank you for this day.
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We thank you to be able to come,
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Acknowledging thanksgiving to you anew.
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We thank you that there is this day set aside for that purpose of thanksgiving.
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For a particular reason,
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For every good and perfect gift is from above,
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As your word reminds us.
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And we are thankful that as we look back over this year,
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We can see the provision that you have made for us,
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In so many different ways.
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Practically Lord,
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The food on our tables,
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The water,
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The warmth of our homes,
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All that we enjoy,
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And so often take for granted,
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Lord,
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We thank you for every provision you make for us.
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But above all,
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We thank you for the promise of your constant companionship with us.
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That you are the one that we are to look to,
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The one that we are to give thanks to for all these things.
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And today,
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May you help us to be truly thankful for all that is ours,
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And especially all that is ours through Jesus Christ as our Lord.
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We pray that you will bless your word to us today,
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Bless us together as a people here,
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In all our homes and our families and our communities,
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Lord,
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We ask that you will be near to us,
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Helping us,
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Lord,
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With all our different needs.
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We just ask for your spirit to be with us,
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To lead us and to guide us in all of these things,
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That you would lead us into your word and into your truth,
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That it would speak to us,
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And remind us,
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Lord,
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Of all the reasons that we have,
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To look back and give thanks,
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To look at our present and give thanks,
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And to look to the future,
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And asking your blessing on all the days that lie ahead of us.
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So continue with us,
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Lord,
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We pray,
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Bless us and keep us and pardon us,
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And as we ask all these things in Jesus' precious name.
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Amen.
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Just a wee word to the young ones.
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Some of you may be going out to the holiday tweenies in a minute,
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But if not,
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You'll be staying in the service as well.
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It's good to have you here.
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I know it's holiday weekend,
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So there's a number of people traveling away as well.
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Those who have been able to get away because of the ferries not sailing
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And things like that,
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The different weather situations,
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It's been hard for many people.
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And sometimes when we're coming to give thanks to God,
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It can seem quite strange to give thanks when there's so many things going on
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That are maybe wrong in the world,
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Or sad in the world,
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Or making us feel as if things just aren't going our way.
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But that's why it's so important for us to come to God's word,
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And to read God's word together,
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And to remind ourselves that God is so precious to us.
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And that when we have him,
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We have so much to be thankful for.
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A couple of weeks ago,
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There was a partial that came to the manse.
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It wasn't a big partial,
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It was a box,
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That wide,
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Not very deep.
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And on the front of the box,
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It said flowers.
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So it was a flower delivery.
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Now if you're used to getting flower deliveries to your house,
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Maybe some of you are,
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You get flowers,
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They come,
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But very often they'll come maybe in a big bouquet,
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So you can see them immediately.
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But this was a box,
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And it said flowers.
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You think,
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It doesn't look very big.
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What's going to be inside this box?
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And the box was opened,
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The box wasn't for me,
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But the person it was for,
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They opened the box,
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And inside was a bunch of flowers.
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And first reactions to think,
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The flowers are dead.
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They just looked as if they had died.
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They just looked as if they were withering away in this box.
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And you're thinking,
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Oh man,
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The poor person who sent this,
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We're going to have to tell them that the flowers were dead when they arrived.
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And we could have easily just maybe thrown the box out and thought,
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Well, these flowers are just died.
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They're rubbish.
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We'll just put them in the bin.
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But on the box was instructions.
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And it said on the box that,
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Though you might think the flowers look dead,
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They're not.
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What you have to do is you have to feed them.
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And there was instructions of how to feed them in different ways.
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There was three stages as to how to feed the flowers.
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And so the flowers,
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Although they looked as if they were wilting,
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They were put in a vase and given this feed.
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And over time, the flowers came to life.
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They bloomed and they're still in our kitchen now.
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Still flowering there in the kitchen.
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And what made the difference was reading the instructions and doing what the instructions say.
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And that's what it is like giving thanks at times as well.
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We might look on things and think,
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Well, there's so much around us that's sad.
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There's so much going on.
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And we think,
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What reason do we have to give thanks?
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We have to give thanks.
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But then when we read the instructions,
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When we read God's word,
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We realize as we go through God's word,
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We have so many things to give thanks for.
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That there are times when everything seems to be withering and perishing away.
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But that God is able to give life.
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And that as we hear what he's saying to us,
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As we follow his instructions,
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He is the one who gives life even into the saddest of situations.
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And we are able to give thanks to him,
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That he remembers us,
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That he is with us.
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And that is his promise always.
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So we take heart in the midst of everything else that goes on.
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Some things will be sad and hard for us.
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But we have the Lord with us.
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And we do have so much to give thanks for.
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So may our hearts truly be thankful to God today,
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For all that he does for us.
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We're going to say the Lord's Prayer together now.
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Our Father which art in heaven,
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Hallowed be thy name.
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Thy kingdom come.
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Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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Give us this day our daily bread,
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And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
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And lead us not into temptation,
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But deliver us from evil.
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For thine is the kingdom,
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The power and the glory forever.
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Amen.
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We're going to sing again to God's praise this time in Psalm 105,
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The Scottish Psalter version,
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Page 374.
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Psalm 105,
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Page 374.
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We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
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And the tune is Peter's Ham.
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If there are any young ones going out to the holiday twenties,
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You can do that during the singing.
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Just as usual,
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Coming out the door to my left here.
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Psalm 105 at verse 1,
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Give thanks to God,
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Call on his name,
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To men his deeds make known.
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Sing ye to him,
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Sing psalms,
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Proclaim his wondrous works.
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Each one.
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We'll stand to sing the Psalm,
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Verse 1 to 7,
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To God's praise.
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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Please,
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His wondrous works each one.
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See that in His holy name to glory do accord.
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And let the heart of everyone rejoice that seeks the Lord.
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The Lord almighty and His strength with steadfast hearts be ye.
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His blessed and His gracious grace seek ye continually.
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Think on the works that ye have done which admiration breed.
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His wonders and the judgments all which on His life proceed.
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O ye that are of Abram's race, his servant well approved.
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O ye that Jacob's children are whom He chose on His own.
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Because He and He only is the mighty Lord our God.
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And His most righteous judgments are in all the earth abroad.
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Amen.
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We're going to turn to read together now in the Old Testament, the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 8.
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Deuteronomy chapter 8.
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And we'll read the whole of this chapter.
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So children of Israel have been led to the border of the promised land.
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As we see here in Deuteronomy, they're on the verge of going into it.
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But they go into it with these words ringing in their ears that they are to remember the Lord their God.
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And especially in the midst of all the plenty that they are going to see in the land.
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The food, the trees, the fruits of them.
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There's so much that they are going to have in terms of food and harvest and all of these things.
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But the Lord is reminding them to remember Him.
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So Deuteronomy chapter 8.
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The whole commandment that I command you today, you shall be careful to do.
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That you may live and multiply and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers.
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And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you.
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These 40 years in the wilderness.
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That He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart.
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Whether you would keep His commandments or not.
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And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna.
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Which you did not know, nor did your fathers know.
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That He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone.
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But man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
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Your clothing did not wear out on you.
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And your foot did not swell these 40 years.
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Know then in your heart that as man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.
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So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him.
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For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land.
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A land of brooks, of water, of fountains and springs.
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Flowing out into the valleys and fields.
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A land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates.
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A land of olive trees and honey.
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A land in which you will eat bread without scarcity.
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In which you will lack nothing.
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A land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.
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And you shall eat and be full.
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And you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land that He has given you.
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Take care lest you forget the Lord your God.
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By not keeping His commandments and His rules and His statutes which I command you today.
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Lest when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them.
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And when your herds and flocks multiply.
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And your silver and gold is multiplied.
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And all that you have is multiplied.
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Then your heart be lifted up.
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And you forget the Lord your God.
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Who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
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Out of the house of slavery.
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Who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness.
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With its fiery serpents and scorpions.
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And thirsty ground where there was no water.
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Who brought you water out of the flinty rock.
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Who fed you in his wilderness with manna.
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That your fathers did not know.
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That he might humble you and test you.
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To do you good in the end.
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Beware lest you say in your heart.
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My power and the might of my hand has gained me this wealth.
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You shall remember the Lord your God.
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For it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
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That He may confirm His covenant.
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That He swore to your fathers as it is this day.
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And if you forget the Lord your God.
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And go after other gods and serve them and worship them.
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I solemnly warn you today.
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That you shall surely perish.
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Like the nations.
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That the Lord makes to perish before you.
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So shall you perish.
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Because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.
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Amen.
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And may God bless that reading of His word to us.
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We will again engage in a word of prayer.
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Let us pray.
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Our gracious Lord.
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We do thank you for these words that we have read.
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And remind us Lord.
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That we are to focus upon you.
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And we ask that you will help us.
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Any distractions that are in our minds.
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Any thoughts that come our way.
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Even as we are under your word.
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That you would remove them from us.
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That we would be able to hear.
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What your spirit has to say to us.
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And we thank you Lord.
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That you are a God who speaks.
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And who ministers to us.
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In all our different needs.
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That you are a God who reminds us.
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That you are worthy of all our thanksgiving.
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And all our praise.
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And as we have so much to give thanks for our Lord.
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We are reminded.
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That we are not to forget you.
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That we are not to think.
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That it's by the might of our hand.
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Or by our own strength.
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That we have accomplished anything.
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But only through your goodness.
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And your grace towards us.
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So Lord may you keep us humble.
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And may you keep us ever dependent upon you.
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And also ever looking to you.
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With thanksgiving and prayer.
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And we do thank you Lord.
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That we have a harvest to be thankful for.
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We thank you that although we so often.
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Maybe don't see it ourselves today.
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Because we do not depend upon the land.
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As our fathers and forefathers once did.
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But yet oh Lord.
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We are still dependent.
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On the earth which you have made.
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The earth belongs unto the Lord.
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And all that it contains.
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Your word tells us.
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And we are reminded that our harvest comes.
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From around us.
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And throughout our country.
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And even to the ends of the earth Lord.
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We have an abundance of provisions.
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That come our way.
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We do thank you for all who provide us.
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With these things.
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For the many who labour.
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All year round.
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Seeking to produce a harvest at the end of it.
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And we thank you Lord.
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That even in the midst of difficult times.
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That you have still blessed.
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We do give you thanks for all.
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Involved in industry that helps us.
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To have so much.
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The food on the tables.
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And the water that's provided for us.
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And the clothes that we wear.
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We thank you for those who are involved.
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In transporting it.
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Throughout our country.
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And even throughout the world.
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We thank you that there are so many.
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Who work to that end of serving others.
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And so we give you thanks for all of these things.
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But above all Lord.
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We give thanks to you.
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As God and Lord of all.
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The harvest is yours Lord.
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And we thank you.
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For the provision that you make.
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And we thank you that today.
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In prayer we can come to you.
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With thanksgiving.
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But also with our petitions.
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Asking for your help.
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And your blessing over us.
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And so many different things.
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We do think of all that's going on.
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Around us today.
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We thank you Lord.
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For the work of the gospel.
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We continue to pray.
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For your blessing on the word.
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That goes out here.
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And throughout our island communities.
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And throughout our nation.
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And the world.
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We thank you for the gospel.
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And its power.
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And we pray Lord.
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That it will be powerful.
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Even today.
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We thank you for your people.
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Who pray.
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And we thank you.
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That we can join in with others.
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Praying today.
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For your blessing on us.
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And for all our different needs.
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And the many reasons.
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That we have to pray.
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Are even laid before us today.
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As we have been looking over.
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Even our own bulletin sheet.
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And thinking of all the many things.
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That are going on.
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We remember those who are mourning.
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And grieving.
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We remember families.
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In their own communities.
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As we commit.
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Let a Campbell's family to you.
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Asking your blessing.
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And peace and comfort to them.
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We remember too.
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The family of Robert Smith.
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Thankful for his years of ministry.
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Some of them here in the congregation.
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And for the blessing that he was to many.
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Throughout the congregation here.
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And through his service in the church.
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We thank you for that.
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And we pray for Janice.
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And we pray for Lisa and Gareth.
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And their families at this time.
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Asking for your comfort.
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And your blessing on them.
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And we think too.
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Of those who are unwell.
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Many who are in hospital.
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Or at home unwell.
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We commit them.
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To your care and keeping.
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We do pray for little Ruth today.
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Granddaughter of Ivor.
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And daughter to Mary Catherine.
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And the whole family at this time.
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Lord.
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We ask that you will bless them.
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And be with them.
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Help those who are caring for her.
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Lord.
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That your hand.
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Would be upon her for good.
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We commit them all to you.
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Lord.
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As the one who is able.
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We think too Lord.
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Of the work of the gospel.
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We thank you for the presbytery camp.
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Going on this weekend.
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We pray for all the young people.
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And the leaders.
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Who are there at the Scalladale Center.
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For this weekend.
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That your spirit be with them.
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To bless them.
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And to minister to them.
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That you'll be with them Lord.
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Over these days.
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That you will encourage them.
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And help them to see.
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The wonder of the gospel.
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And the beauty of Jesus Christ.
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And even in their young years.
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To come.
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And commit their lives to you.
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We think too.
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Of difficult situations.
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In our islands.
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Communities at this time.
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As we have been hearing.
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In this past week.
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Of people missing.
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And searches going on.
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We continue to pray.
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For those who are looking.
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For the young boy.
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Missing here.
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In Stornoway.
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And we pray Lord.
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That you will protect.
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And help those who are out.
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Even just now.
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Searching for him Lord.
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And we just commit.
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That situation to you.
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We commit.
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The search going on.
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In Benbeculas.
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Well today.
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For that young woman.
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Who's missing.
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Again Lord.
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Asking for safety.
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And protection.
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Over all.
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Who are out and about.
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For your comfort.
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And your blessing.
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Over these families.
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Who will be so anxious.
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At this time.
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Lord.
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May you surround them.
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Uphold them.
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And strengthen them.
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Throughout these days.
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Lord.
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We are reminded of.
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How we dependently are.
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Upon you.
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And we pray Lord.
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That today.
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As we worship you.
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That you will minister to us.
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That you will draw us to yourself.
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That we would realize.
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How precious you are.
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How precious life is.
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And as we even think.
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Of our parliament.
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And the meetings.
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Even in this coming week.
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For the assisted suicide bill.
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We pray that.
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Many members of parliament.
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Would see.
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The dangers of it.
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And come to seek.
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To protect life.
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In all its.
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Sanctity.
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And all that it is.
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That life is from you.
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So give wisdom.
24:28
To our leaders.
24:29
In these things.
24:30
And we pray.
24:31
Oh Lord.
24:32
That you will protect us.
24:33
From going down these paths.
24:35
So Lord.
24:36
We commit ourselves.
24:37
Into your hands.
24:38
Now asking for your blessing.
24:39
Over us.
24:40
Continue with us.
24:41
As we open up your word.
24:42
Together.
24:43
As we look to you.
24:44
We look to your blessing.
24:45
On us.
24:46
Asking forgiveness.
24:46
For all our sins.
24:48
In Jesus name.
24:49
Amen.
24:49
Well we're going to sing again.
24:54
Before we turn back.
24:55
To this passage.
24:56
In Psalm 96a.
24:58
The Sing Psalms version.
25:00
Page 127.
25:07
Psalm 96a.
25:08
Page 127.
25:10
We'll sing from verse 7.
25:12
Down to the end of the psalm.
25:14
All nations to the Lord.
25:16
Ascribe the glory.
25:17
That is due.
25:18
Glory and strength.
25:20
Ascribe to God.
25:21
And praise his name.
25:23
And you.
25:23
We'll sing from that verse 7.
25:25
Down to the end of the psalm.
25:26
The tune is Bloxam.
25:27
We stand to sing to God's praise.
25:30
Amen.
25:34
All nations to the Lord.
25:40
Ascribe the glory.
25:43
That is due.
25:46
Glory and strength.
25:51
Ascribe to God.
25:55
And praise his name.
25:59
And you.
26:02
Enter his courts.
26:06
With joy.
26:09
Bring an offering.
26:12
With you.
26:15
Worship the Lord.
26:20
In holy field.
26:24
All earth before him.
26:29
Tell every man.
26:34
The Lord is king.
26:40
He establishes the earth.
26:45
And cannot move.
26:49
The Lord will judge.
26:53
The people sin is true.
26:59
Let έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ έ
27:29
They all will sing before the Lord who comes to judge the earth.
27:44
He'll judge the world in righteousness, the people's sin is true.
28:03
Well, if we can turn back together to our reading in Deuteronomy chapter 8, we can read again at verse 10 and 11.
28:10
Deuteronomy chapter 8 at verse 10.
28:15
And you shall eat and be full and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
28:22
Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes which I command you today and so on.
28:35
Well, we're going to be looking at the whole of this chapter, but these verses that we've read just give us a focus.
28:43
There's two elements there for us.
28:46
Being thankful, blessing the Lord for all the provision that he's made and not forgetting the Lord.
28:52
Today is a special service of thanksgiving to God where we remember all of God's provision to us looking back, especially over this last year.
29:03
It's an annual thanksgiving service with a particular emphasis on harvest thanksgiving.
29:10
Now many sitting here today, you might say, what harvest?
29:15
What harvest are we giving thanks for?
29:17
We don't really do our own harvest, many of us.
29:21
What are we looking at here for harvest thanksgiving?
29:25
Well, we think today from the outset, how much do we actually take for granted today?
29:31
We're maybe not dependent on harvesting our own fields as we once were,
29:36
although many people still do try and have their own vegetables and fruits and different things.
29:42
But if we're stuck, we can always just go to the shop and there we'll be able to buy whatever we need.
29:48
Things that come from all over the world.
29:52
We are still dependent on a harvest, even though there is so much we take for granted.
30:00
And because we are dependent, it's not the harvest we're dependent on.
30:05
It's God we are dependent on.
30:07
Because we have to acknowledge that everything comes from him.
30:12
The psalmist says, the earth belongs unto the Lord and all that it contains.
30:18
Everything belongs to the Lord.
30:21
So everything that we have before us today, even as we go home and sit at the table,
30:26
and we enjoy a meal around the table, the clothes that we wear,
30:30
the water that comes through our taps,
30:32
all these things that we so often just take for granted,
30:36
they are all the Lord's.
30:38
And it's only through the Lord's gracious giving to us that we have these things
30:43
in his provision for us.
30:46
And so we are to be thankful to him.
30:50
And as we see in this passage,
30:52
the children of Israel here about to go into the promised land,
30:56
into a land that's going to be full of many things,
30:59
an abundance of good things,
31:02
there also is a reminder here of just how easy it is to forget the Lord.
31:09
Do not forget the Lord.
31:12
It's the words that ring in this passage as well.
31:15
And there are words that should be ringing in our ears today as well,
31:19
that we should not at any point forget the Lord,
31:23
but always be thankful to him for all that we have.
31:29
Now,
31:30
as we're looking at the situation of the people and the children of Israel here,
31:34
and we look at our own situation today,
31:37
you maybe think a service of Thanksgiving.
31:39
Sometimes it's so difficult to see reasons for Thanksgiving.
31:44
You know,
31:44
as we've been praying together and thinking about the different things on the
31:48
bulletin sheet and hearing difficult situations that our people are in,
31:53
it can be hard to give thanks.
31:55
Maybe some of you come in here today or are tuning in online today,
31:59
and you're finding it hard to give thanks.
32:03
Yet we're reminded that in every circumstance,
32:06
we have the Lord with us.
32:08
There's a preacher by the name of Alexander White in Edinburgh,
32:13
and he was noted for always having a reason for Thanksgiving.
32:17
And this day that he came into church,
32:19
it was a wild day,
32:20
but like we have outside today or even looking ahead to the forecast tonight,
32:25
a wild day,
32:26
a wet day.
32:27
And one of the congregations sitting in thought,
32:29
what's he going to have to give thanks to God for today?
32:33
And yet he started his prayer by saying,
32:35
we thank you,
32:36
Lord.
32:36
It's not always like this.
32:38
And that's a reminder to us today that our circumstances,
32:44
even when we are in the most difficult situations,
32:46
it's not always like this.
32:48
And it won't always be like this.
32:50
And especially as we are looking and trusting in the Lord Jesus.
32:55
So let us not forget the Lord,
32:58
but let us be thankful to God for all of his provision,
33:02
all that he gives to us on a regular,
33:06
on a daily basis.
33:07
And we're looking back,
33:09
especially over this last year,
33:11
thankful to him for all the provision made.
33:15
Thankful today in the present and looking to his blessing to continue on us going forward,
33:20
that we would not forget the Lord.
33:24
So we want to look at this passage together,
33:27
just under these three kind of themes.
33:29
Thanksgiving,
33:31
Thanksgiving,
33:32
looking back to the past,
33:34
Thanksgiving,
33:35
looking to the present,
33:37
and Thanksgiving,
33:39
looking to the Lord's continued blessing going forward as well.
33:44
So we want to begin by thinking of Thanksgiving for the past.
33:49
And that's really where this passage begins.
33:52
As we're looking at Deuteronomy 8 here,
33:56
the setting is this waiting to go in to the promised land.
34:01
And even as you read through this passage,
34:05
you're seeing so much that they are going to enjoy in this land.
34:10
It's going to be a precious land.
34:13
In verse 7,
34:14
it says,
34:14
The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land,
34:17
a land of brooks,
34:19
of water,
34:20
of fountains and springs,
34:22
flowing out of the valleys,
34:23
lands of wheat and barley,
34:26
vines and fig trees,
34:27
pomegranates,
34:28
olive trees,
34:29
honey,
34:30
all of these things,
34:31
things that they haven't had for a long time.
34:34
In the wilderness of 40 years,
34:36
of wandering through the wilderness,
34:39
through their own disobedience,
34:41
of not listening to God,
34:44
not trusting God.
34:46
They've been 40 years in the wilderness
34:47
with so little in many ways,
34:50
and yet the Lord providing for them.
34:53
Here he is now about to bring them into a land
34:55
that's going to be full of so many different things,
34:59
so many blessings.
35:01
But before they go into the land,
35:04
he wants to focus on their past.
35:07
And especially looking back
35:09
and remembering how the Lord has helped them.
35:13
Even in a time that there wasn't that plenty,
35:16
a time of need,
35:18
the Lord was with them.
35:20
And you see that in verse 2.
35:23
Before you go into this land,
35:24
he says in verse 2,
35:26
you shall remember the whole way
35:28
that the Lord your God has led you
35:30
these 40 years in the wilderness,
35:33
that he might humble you.
35:34
And then he goes on to say,
35:37
testing you to know what was in your heart,
35:41
whether you would keep his commandments or not.
35:45
So the Lord was reminding them,
35:47
as they were to look back and see,
35:50
in the past,
35:51
the Lord has helped.
35:54
You have reasons to give thanks
35:55
looking back.
35:58
Times of deliverance that they can see,
36:01
times of judgment that they could see,
36:04
but all the time,
36:06
the Lord has led you,
36:08
he is saying.
36:09
The Lord has led you
36:10
these 40 years.
36:13
He was with them
36:14
all the time.
36:16
Whether it was
36:17
in times of
36:18
some joyous times
36:20
or whether it was
36:20
sad times,
36:22
the Lord was with them.
36:23
He gave them
36:24
the pillar of cloud
36:25
and the pillar of fire
36:27
so that by day and night
36:28
they could move
36:29
if that was the Lord's will for them.
36:31
He never
36:32
left them.
36:33
They were always
36:35
dependent on God
36:37
and God was
36:39
putting them
36:40
to the test.
36:42
Would they continue
36:43
to hold on to his commandments
36:45
or not?
36:47
Would they continue to listen
36:49
to his word
36:50
or not?
36:52
And as is often the case
36:53
with God's people,
36:55
there were times
36:56
when they did listen,
36:57
when they were obedient
36:58
and things went smoothly,
37:01
other times
37:02
they were disobedient.
37:04
They didn't listen
37:05
and things didn't
37:06
go well.
37:08
And again,
37:08
it's a reminder
37:09
to our own experience
37:11
and to our own lives
37:12
as well.
37:14
Whatever age
37:15
we are today
37:16
coming in here,
37:17
we can look back
37:18
over maybe short years,
37:20
maybe long years.
37:21
However many years
37:22
of our lives
37:23
we're looking back over
37:24
and we could say
37:26
like the word of God
37:27
says here,
37:28
the Lord your God
37:30
has led you.
37:32
Whatever you think
37:33
of God,
37:34
whatever this world
37:35
thinks of God,
37:37
this is still
37:38
true today
37:39
as it was then.
37:40
The Lord your God
37:42
has led you.
37:44
And the Lord your God
37:45
has tested you
37:47
along the way.
37:49
He is always
37:50
putting his people
37:51
to the test.
37:53
Will they listen
37:54
to the word
37:56
of God
37:56
or not?
37:59
And so for ourselves
38:01
today,
38:02
we see
38:02
the remarkable way
38:04
that God
38:05
has helped us
38:06
over the years.
38:08
The way that he has
38:09
led us
38:09
over the years.
38:11
We are
38:11
dependent
38:12
on God.
38:15
Utterly
38:16
dependent
38:17
on him.
38:19
He humbles
38:20
them here
38:21
in the past
38:22
so many times
38:24
that they would
38:24
acknowledge him
38:26
as Lord
38:27
and God.
38:29
And today
38:29
should be a day
38:30
of humbling
38:31
for ourselves
38:32
today.
38:33
Because in
38:33
thankfulness
38:34
there is so much
38:36
humbling in that
38:37
as well.
38:38
That we would
38:39
come and look
38:40
back on our
38:41
own lives
38:41
and our own
38:42
experiences
38:43
and think
38:44
yes,
38:46
without the
38:47
Lord
38:47
where would
38:48
we be?
38:50
Without
38:50
the Lord's
38:51
provision
38:51
where would
38:53
we be?
38:54
We would
38:54
have nothing.
38:56
Apart from
38:56
him
38:57
we can do
38:58
nothing.
38:58
So we are
38:59
dependent
39:00
upon him.
39:02
We are
39:02
dependent on
39:03
him for
39:04
food.
39:04
We are
39:05
dependent on
39:05
him for
39:06
clothes and
39:07
water and
39:07
all of these
39:08
blessings that
39:09
are ours.
39:11
But what is
39:11
the central
39:12
part of all
39:13
of this
39:14
is God's
39:15
word.
39:16
word.
39:17
Remember
39:17
the Lord
39:18
your God.
39:19
Remember
39:20
the whole
39:21
of the way
39:22
that the
39:22
Lord your
39:23
God has
39:23
led you.
39:24
And remember
39:25
the word
39:26
of God
39:27
to keep
39:28
his
39:29
commandments.
39:31
The word
39:32
is central.
39:34
The word
39:34
is what is
39:35
to be at
39:35
the heart
39:36
of our
39:37
thanksgiving.
39:38
So as we
39:39
look back
39:39
we do so
39:41
through the
39:41
eyes of
39:42
faith looking
39:43
to his
39:44
word.
39:45
So when
39:45
we are
39:45
tempted to
39:47
say we
39:47
can manage
39:48
without.
39:49
When we are
39:49
tempted to
39:50
say as you
39:50
see later
39:51
on in
39:53
this chapter
39:53
when he
39:54
says I
39:54
think it's
39:55
verse 14
39:56
do not
39:57
forget the
39:57
Lord who
39:58
brought you
39:58
out of
39:59
the land.
40:00
And then
40:00
further on
40:01
he speaks
40:02
in verse
40:03
17 of
40:03
beware
40:04
lest you
40:05
say in
40:05
your heart
40:06
my power
40:07
and the
40:08
might of
40:08
my hand
40:09
has gained
40:10
me this
40:11
wealth.
40:11
that is
40:12
always
40:13
the danger
40:14
with us.
40:15
In forgetting
40:16
the Lord
40:17
we believe
40:18
it's our
40:18
own strength
40:19
our own
40:21
hand
40:21
that has
40:22
provided.
40:24
And Jesus
40:24
in the New
40:25
Testament
40:26
actually quotes
40:27
from this
40:28
passage as
40:29
well.
40:30
Man doesn't
40:31
live by
40:32
bread alone
40:32
but by
40:33
every word
40:34
that comes
40:35
from the
40:36
mouth of
40:36
God.
40:36
We are
40:37
dependent
40:37
on the
40:38
word of
40:38
God.
40:40
In
40:40
Matthew
40:40
4 verse
40:41
3 the
40:43
tempter
40:43
came to
40:45
Jesus and
40:45
said to
40:46
him, this
40:47
is when he
40:47
was in
40:47
the wilderness
40:48
himself,
40:50
if you
40:50
are the
40:51
son of
40:51
God
40:52
command
40:52
these
40:53
stones
40:53
to become
40:54
loaves
40:55
of bread.
40:56
Jesus
40:57
was hungry
40:58
and the
40:59
tempter
41:00
Satan
41:00
was saying
41:01
to him
41:01
if you
41:01
are the
41:02
son of
41:02
God
41:03
if you
41:03
are who
41:04
you say
41:04
you are
41:05
you could
41:05
make these
41:06
stones
41:06
become
41:07
loaves
41:07
of bread.
41:08
To
41:09
satisfy
41:10
your
41:10
hunger.
41:11
But Jesus
41:12
answered by
41:12
saying it
41:13
is written
41:13
man shall
41:14
not live
41:15
by bread
41:15
alone but
41:16
by every
41:16
word that
41:17
comes from
41:18
the mouth
41:19
of God
41:20
from this
41:20
passage.
41:23
And so
41:23
we are
41:23
dependent
41:24
on the
41:25
word of
41:26
God.
41:27
And the
41:27
word of
41:28
God reminds
41:28
us looking
41:29
back how
41:30
he has
41:30
always led
41:31
us and
41:32
how he
41:32
has always
41:33
helped
41:34
us.
41:35
Christian
41:35
writer Fred
41:36
Marsh
41:37
described the
41:38
Christian
41:38
looking back
41:39
in this
41:40
way and
41:40
especially
41:40
quoting from
41:41
Deuteronomy.
41:44
He said
41:44
when you
41:44
look back
41:45
the Christian
41:45
can see
41:46
the
41:47
deliverances
41:47
of the
41:48
Lord.
41:49
The way
41:50
the Lord
41:51
has led
41:51
looking at
41:52
verse 2
41:52
of this
41:53
passage
41:54
the blessings
41:55
that he
41:55
has bestowed
41:56
the victories
41:58
he has won
41:59
and the
41:59
encouragements
42:00
that he
42:01
has given.
42:02
The Christian
42:03
can see
42:03
these things
42:04
looking back.
42:05
So as we
42:07
look back
42:08
with thankfulness
42:09
to God
42:09
we can see
42:10
the deliverances
42:11
of God
42:12
over our
42:13
years.
42:13
We can see
42:14
the way
42:14
the Lord
42:15
has led
42:15
us over
42:16
the years.
42:17
We can see
42:18
the blessings
42:18
that he has
42:19
given us
42:20
over the
42:20
years.
42:21
We can see
42:21
the victories
42:22
that he has
42:23
won for us
42:23
over these
42:24
years.
42:25
We can see
42:26
the encouragements
42:27
that he has
42:28
given to us
42:29
over these
42:30
years.
42:31
So our
42:33
thanksgiving
42:33
is based
42:34
on looking
42:35
back.
42:36
But it's
42:37
also based
42:38
on looking
42:38
to the
42:39
present.
42:41
It's not
42:41
just about
42:42
remembering
42:43
something that
42:44
we do
42:44
once.
42:46
Thanksgiving
42:46
is a
42:47
constant
42:48
ongoing
42:49
thankfulness
42:50
to God.
42:51
Even though
42:52
this is a
42:52
day appointed
42:53
as harvest
42:54
thanksgiving
42:54
it doesn't
42:55
mean this
42:56
is the only
42:56
day we
42:57
give thanks
42:58
for our
42:58
food or
42:59
the water
42:59
or our
43:00
clothes.
43:01
It is a
43:02
constant
43:02
thanksgiving.
43:04
That's what
43:05
we are being
43:05
taught in
43:06
scripture.
43:07
We go on
43:08
in this
43:09
sense of
43:09
thanksgiving
43:10
to God.
43:12
A couple
43:13
of years
43:13
ago at
43:14
this time
43:14
of year
43:15
we know
43:15
that in
43:16
America
43:16
it's a
43:17
time of
43:17
thanksgiving
43:18
there as
43:18
well.
43:19
Well a
43:20
British
43:20
newspaper
43:21
started
43:22
had an
43:23
article about
43:24
this and
43:25
the headline
43:26
was
43:26
Thanksgiving
43:27
the latest
43:29
US
43:30
tradition
43:31
to take
43:32
root in
43:33
the UK.
43:34
And in
43:35
the article
43:35
they said
43:36
Thanksgiving
43:36
has no
43:37
place in
43:38
British
43:38
tradition.
43:41
And you
43:41
think to
43:41
yourself
43:42
wow
43:42
how could
43:44
we possibly
43:45
be thinking
43:46
along these
43:47
lines.
43:48
Now in part
43:48
you could see
43:49
what they were
43:49
meaning.
43:50
We don't
43:51
have turkey
43:52
just now
43:53
like they
43:53
do in
43:53
America.
43:54
We don't
43:54
sit and watch
43:55
American
43:56
football which
43:56
is such a
43:57
big part of
43:58
their
43:58
Thanksgiving
43:58
weekend.
44:00
We think
44:01
we don't
44:01
have that.
44:02
But to
44:03
say
44:03
Thanksgiving
44:04
has no
44:05
place in
44:06
British
44:06
tradition.
44:08
You know
44:08
sadly there's
44:09
truth in
44:10
that writing.
44:12
It's because
44:13
we've lost a
44:14
focus on
44:14
God and
44:15
Thanksgiving
44:16
almost has
44:16
no part
44:17
now.
44:19
But it
44:20
doesn't mean
44:20
that we are
44:20
not to be
44:21
thankful.
44:22
Because we
44:23
have so much
44:24
to be
44:24
thankful for.
44:25
not taking
44:26
in all
44:27
the
44:27
trappings
44:28
that might
44:28
go with
44:29
it.
44:30
But having
44:30
a focus
44:31
on God.
44:34
Thanksgiving
44:34
should very
44:35
much have
44:36
a place
44:36
in British
44:37
tradition.
44:38
As in
44:38
every
44:39
tradition.
44:40
Because
44:41
Thanksgiving
44:41
is to
44:43
God.
44:44
And so
44:45
we are to
44:45
be thankful
44:46
to God
44:47
in the
44:48
present
44:48
circumstances
44:49
of where
44:50
we are
44:50
for all
44:51
that he
44:51
has given
44:52
to us.
44:54
Again
44:54
another
44:55
writer
44:55
G.K.
44:56
Chesterton
44:56
put it
44:57
like this.
44:58
When it
44:58
comes to
44:59
life the
45:00
critical
45:00
thing is
45:01
whether you
45:01
take things
45:02
for granted
45:03
or take
45:04
them with
45:05
gratitude.
45:07
Isn't that
45:07
so true
45:08
of our
45:09
own
45:09
experience?
45:10
Do we
45:10
take things
45:11
for granted
45:12
or do we
45:13
take them
45:14
with gratitude?
45:17
So much
45:18
we just
45:18
take for
45:19
granted.
45:20
So much
45:21
in life
45:21
we just
45:22
think it's
45:23
going to
45:23
be there.
45:24
We go
45:25
to our
45:25
fridge,
45:26
we go
45:26
to our
45:26
freezer,
45:27
we go
45:27
to our
45:28
cupboard.
45:29
There's
45:29
food there
45:29
in abundance
45:31
of selection.
45:32
We go
45:32
to our
45:33
supermarkets,
45:34
we go
45:34
to our
45:34
shops,
45:35
we go
45:36
there and
45:36
we see
45:36
a selection
45:38
of different
45:39
kinds of
45:40
foods from
45:41
all over
45:41
the world.
45:43
We take
45:44
it for
45:44
granted.
45:46
And we
45:46
forget that
45:47
there were
45:47
days when
45:48
cupboards
45:49
were bare.
45:50
We forget
45:50
that there
45:50
were days
45:51
when there
45:51
was no
45:52
food to
45:52
put on
45:53
the table.
45:54
We forget
45:54
that there
45:54
were days
45:55
and even
45:55
today for
45:56
some it
45:57
is a
45:57
struggle to
45:58
put food
45:59
on the
46:00
table.
46:01
We take
46:01
so much
46:02
for granted.
46:05
And yet
46:05
the word
46:06
of God
46:06
is always
46:07
saying
46:07
remember.
46:09
Remember
46:10
the Lord.
46:11
Remember
46:12
what he has
46:13
given to
46:14
you.
46:14
Look to
46:14
him and
46:15
to his
46:16
word.
46:17
And often
46:18
in God's
46:18
word you
46:19
see a
46:20
way is
46:21
put in
46:21
place that
46:22
is a
46:22
constant
46:23
ongoing
46:23
remembrance.
46:26
Even
46:27
as the
46:27
children of
46:28
Israel came
46:29
out of
46:29
Egypt they
46:30
did so
46:30
with a
46:31
remembrance
46:31
of the
46:32
Passover.
46:33
How the
46:34
Lord delivered
46:35
them in
46:36
that night.
46:37
And the
46:38
Passover was
46:38
to be
46:39
remembered
46:40
going
46:41
forward.
46:42
To remember
46:43
their deliverance
46:44
from Egypt.
46:46
And then
46:46
throughout the
46:47
Old Testament
46:47
you find
46:48
different points.
46:50
And especially
46:50
putting up
46:50
stone piles
46:53
of remembrance.
46:54
In Joshua
46:55
chapter 4
46:56
verse 6
46:57
it says
46:57
taking these
46:58
stones
46:59
may be a
47:00
sign among
47:01
you when
47:01
your children
47:02
ask you
47:02
in time
47:03
to come
47:03
what do
47:04
these stones
47:05
mean?
47:06
Then you
47:06
shall tell
47:07
them that
47:07
the waters
47:08
of the
47:08
Jordan
47:08
were cut
47:09
off before
47:09
the ark
47:10
of the
47:11
covenant
47:11
of the
47:11
Lord.
47:12
So they
47:13
went across
47:14
the dry
47:14
ground
47:15
of the
47:16
Jordan
47:16
and they
47:17
set up
47:17
a
47:17
remembrance
47:18
there
47:18
of the
47:19
Lord's
47:20
deliverance.
47:21
In 1 Samuel
47:23
7
47:23
Samuel it
47:24
says there
47:25
took a
47:25
stone
47:26
the
47:26
Ebenezer
47:27
stone
47:28
and set
47:29
it up
47:29
between
47:29
Mizpah
47:30
and
47:30
Shen
47:30
he called
47:31
it the
47:31
Ebenezer
47:32
stone
47:32
for he
47:33
said
47:33
till now
47:34
the Lord
47:35
has helped
47:36
us.
47:36
Hitherto
47:36
the Lord
47:38
has helped
47:39
us.
47:40
So there's
47:40
this
47:40
remembrance
47:41
ongoing.
47:44
In the
47:44
last few
47:45
weeks we've
47:45
come to do
47:46
remembrance
47:47
day.
47:49
Remembering
47:49
deliverance
47:50
from times
47:51
of war
47:52
an annual
47:53
event that
47:54
takes place
47:54
lest we
47:55
forget.
47:57
Next week
47:58
God willing
47:58
we will have
47:59
the Lord's
48:00
supper
48:00
a remembrance
48:02
of our
48:03
great
48:03
deliverance
48:04
from sin
48:04
that as we
48:05
put our
48:06
faith in
48:06
the Lord
48:07
Jesus
48:07
we have
48:08
that
48:09
deliverance
48:09
that salvation
48:10
from our
48:11
sin.
48:12
Again we
48:13
do that
48:13
in remembrance
48:14
of him.
48:16
And so our
48:17
thanksgiving
48:18
today is
48:19
in light
48:19
of so
48:20
many
48:20
different
48:21
things
48:21
going on
48:22
around us.
48:23
In our
48:24
present we
48:25
thank God
48:26
for all
48:27
that he
48:27
is doing
48:28
for us.
48:30
We do
48:30
that coming
48:31
today remembering
48:32
as James
48:33
acknowledges
48:34
in the New
48:35
Testament
48:35
every good
48:36
gift and
48:38
every perfect
48:39
gift is
48:40
from above
48:41
coming down
48:42
from the
48:42
father of
48:43
lights with
48:44
whom there
48:45
is no
48:45
variation or
48:46
shadow due
48:47
to change.
48:48
We look to
48:49
the one
48:49
who never
48:51
changes.
48:53
We are
48:53
dependent
48:53
upon him.
48:56
We have
48:57
past help
48:58
to remind
48:59
us of
49:00
thanksgiving.
49:01
We have
49:01
present
49:02
thanksgiving
49:03
too as we
49:04
look to
49:04
Jesus who
49:06
is the
49:06
rock of
49:07
our salvation.
49:10
And just
49:10
we will think
49:11
here the
49:12
children of
49:12
Israel on
49:13
the border
49:14
of the
49:15
promised
49:15
land.
49:16
To go
49:17
in there
49:17
not
49:18
forgetting
49:19
the
49:19
Lord.
49:21
We could
49:21
say of
49:22
ourselves
49:22
today in
49:23
our present
49:23
situation
49:24
we too
49:26
are on
49:26
the border
49:26
of a
49:27
promised
49:28
land.
49:29
We are
49:30
on the
49:30
border
49:30
of
49:31
eternity.
49:32
We are
49:33
on the
49:33
edge
49:33
of
49:34
eternity
49:35
and
49:35
eternity
49:35
is
49:36
before
49:37
us
49:37
all.
49:39
And
49:39
where
49:40
are we
49:40
going?
49:41
In
49:42
Matthew
49:42
25
49:43
Jesus
49:45
there
49:45
speaks
49:46
of
49:46
two
49:47
different
49:48
kingdoms
49:48
two
49:49
different
49:49
places.
49:51
In
49:51
Matthew
49:51
25
49:52
verse
49:53
34
49:53
and this
49:54
is in
49:54
light of
49:54
those
49:55
who have
49:55
been
49:55
faithful
49:56
in
49:56
what
49:56
the
49:57
Lord
49:57
has
49:57
given
49:57
to
49:58
them.
49:59
He
49:59
says
49:59
there
50:00
to
50:00
those
50:00
who
50:00
have
50:00
been
50:00
faithful
50:01
then
50:02
the
50:02
king
50:02
will
50:02
say
50:02
to
50:03
those
50:03
in
50:03
his
50:03
right
50:03
come
50:04
you
50:05
who
50:05
are
50:05
blessed
50:05
by
50:05
my
50:06
father
50:06
inherit
50:06
the
50:07
kingdom
50:07
prepared
50:08
from
50:08
the
50:08
foundation
50:09
of
50:10
the
50:10
world.
50:12
There
50:12
is
50:12
blessing
50:13
in
50:13
going
50:13
into
50:14
a
50:14
land
50:14
prepared
50:15
for
50:15
the
50:16
Lord's
50:16
people.
50:18
But
50:18
there
50:18
is a
50:18
curse
50:19
as well
50:19
because
50:20
in
50:20
Matthew
50:21
25
50:22
the
50:22
same
50:22
passage
50:23
in
50:23
verse
50:23
41
50:24
it
50:24
says
50:25
then
50:25
he
50:25
will
50:25
say
50:26
to
50:26
those
50:26
on
50:26
the
50:27
left
50:27
depart
50:28
from
50:29
me
50:29
you
50:30
cursed
50:30
into
50:31
the
50:31
eternal
50:32
fire
50:32
prepared
50:33
for
50:33
the
50:33
devil
50:33
and
50:34
his
50:34
angels.
50:36
There
50:36
is
50:36
a
50:36
warning
50:37
there
50:37
to
50:38
remember
50:39
the
50:39
Lord.
50:40
The
50:41
warning
50:41
that we
50:41
see
50:42
in
50:42
verse
50:42
11
50:43
take
50:43
care
50:43
lest
50:44
you
50:44
forget
50:45
the
50:45
Lord
50:45
your
50:46
God
50:46
by
50:47
not
50:47
keeping
50:47
his
50:47
commandments
50:48
and
50:48
his
50:49
rules
50:49
because
50:51
in
50:52
forgetting
50:52
as it
50:53
goes on
50:53
to say
50:53
in
50:54
verse
50:54
19
50:54
if
50:55
you
50:55
forget
50:56
the
50:56
Lord
50:56
your
50:56
God
50:57
and
50:57
go
50:57
after
50:57
other
50:58
gods
50:58
and
50:59
serve
50:59
and
51:00
worship
51:00
them
51:00
I
51:01
solemnly
51:02
warn
51:02
you
51:02
today
51:02
that
51:03
you
51:03
shall
51:03
surely
51:04
perish.
51:05
take
51:07
care
51:07
lest
51:09
we
51:09
forget
51:09
the
51:10
Lord.
51:12
So
51:12
in
51:13
our
51:13
present
51:13
situation
51:14
we
51:15
have
51:15
this
51:15
warning
51:16
ringing
51:16
in
51:16
our
51:16
ears
51:17
if
51:18
we're
51:18
thankful
51:18
we are
51:19
not to
51:20
forget
51:20
the
51:21
Lord
51:21
but to
51:22
remember
51:22
every
51:24
blessing
51:24
that is
51:25
ours
51:26
in
51:27
him.
51:29
And
51:29
third
51:29
and
51:30
finally
51:30
here
51:30
we have
51:31
thanksgiving
51:32
looking
51:33
to the
51:34
future.
51:35
this
51:36
whole
51:36
chapter
51:37
for the
51:38
children
51:38
of
51:38
Israel
51:39
would
51:39
have
51:39
been
51:39
surely
51:40
ringing
51:40
in
51:41
their
51:41
ears
51:41
all
51:43
that
51:43
they
51:43
had
51:43
heard
51:44
the
51:44
excitement
51:45
of
51:45
looking
51:46
to
51:46
a
51:46
land
51:47
looking
51:48
ahead
51:48
to
51:48
a
51:48
place
51:49
of
51:49
plenty
51:50
they
51:50
had
51:51
manna
51:51
and
51:52
they
51:52
had
51:52
water
51:53
but
51:53
they
51:53
grumbled
51:54
over
51:54
the
51:54
years
51:54
about
51:55
all
51:55
of
51:55
these
51:55
things
51:56
but
51:56
here
51:57
they
51:57
were
51:57
looking
51:57
ahead
51:58
to
51:59
all
51:59
of
51:59
these
51:59
blessings
52:00
springs
52:01
of
52:01
water
52:02
harvests
52:04
of
52:04
wheat
52:05
and
52:05
barley
52:07
it
52:07
says
52:07
vine
52:08
and
52:08
fig
52:09
trees
52:09
pomegranates
52:10
honey
52:11
olive
52:11
trees
52:11
it was a
52:12
land of
52:13
plenty
52:13
so there was
52:14
much to be
52:14
excited
52:15
about
52:16
but
52:18
there was
52:18
also
52:19
this
52:20
warning
52:20
take
52:22
care
52:23
lest
52:24
you
52:24
forget
52:25
and
52:26
this
52:26
is
52:26
the
52:27
constant
52:27
warning
52:28
ringing
52:29
throughout
52:29
this
52:30
chapter
52:30
it's
52:31
the
52:31
word
52:32
remember
52:32
and
52:33
the
52:33
word
52:33
forget
52:34
it's
52:34
mentioned
52:34
again
52:35
and
52:36
again
52:37
and
52:38
that
52:38
is
52:38
the
52:39
words
52:39
that
52:39
we
52:39
are
52:39
to
52:39
take
52:40
with
52:40
us
52:40
today
52:41
as
52:41
well
52:42
a
52:43
day
52:43
of
52:43
thanksgiving
52:44
looking
52:45
back
52:45
a day
52:46
of
52:46
thanksgiving
52:47
in the
52:48
present
52:48
we can
52:49
be
52:49
thankful
52:49
for all
52:50
that we
52:50
have
52:50
but
52:52
thanksgiving
52:53
also
52:53
looks
52:53
forward
52:54
and
52:55
it's
52:56
based
52:56
on
52:56
not
52:57
forgetting
52:58
the
52:59
Lord
52:59
so that
53:00
as we
53:01
go
53:01
forward
53:02
as we
53:03
come
53:03
even
53:03
into
53:03
a
53:04
season
53:04
of
53:04
Christmas
53:05
as
53:06
we
53:06
have
53:06
plenty
53:07
before
53:07
us
53:08
once
53:08
again
53:08
as
53:09
we
53:09
go
53:09
into
53:09
a
53:09
new
53:10
year
53:10
God
53:10
willing
53:11
as
53:11
we
53:11
go
53:11
forward
53:12
will
53:12
we
53:12
take
53:13
these
53:13
words
53:14
with
53:14
us
53:15
take
53:15
care
53:16
lest
53:16
you
53:17
forget
53:17
the
53:18
Lord
53:18
your
53:19
God
53:19
and
53:20
verse
53:20
17
53:21
beware
53:21
lest
53:21
you
53:22
say
53:22
in
53:22
your
53:22
heart
53:23
my
53:24
power
53:24
and
53:25
the
53:25
might
53:25
of
53:25
my
53:26
hand
53:26
have
53:27
gained
53:27
me
53:27
this
53:28
wealth
53:29
that
53:30
verse
53:30
17
53:30
is
53:31
something
53:31
that
53:31
we
53:32
see
53:32
around
53:33
us
53:33
so
53:34
much
53:34
today
53:34
thanksgiving
53:36
has no
53:37
part
53:37
in
53:38
British
53:38
tradition
53:39
the
53:39
newspaper
53:39
headlines
53:40
says
53:40
and
53:42
this
53:42
is
53:42
the
53:42
reason
53:43
why
53:43
because
53:44
so
53:45
many
53:45
and
53:45
too
53:45
many
53:46
think
53:46
my
53:47
power
53:47
and
53:48
the
53:48
might
53:49
of
53:49
my
53:49
hand
53:50
has
53:50
gained
53:51
me
53:51
this
53:51
wealth
53:52
they've
53:53
forgotten
53:54
the
53:55
Lord
53:55
and
53:56
every
53:57
one
53:57
of us
53:58
has
53:58
that
53:59
danger
53:59
in
53:59
our
53:59
heart
54:00
that
54:01
we
54:01
would
54:01
be
54:01
a
54:01
people
54:02
who
54:02
forget
54:03
the
54:04
Lord
54:04
let
54:06
not
54:07
that
54:07
attitude
54:08
come
54:09
into
54:09
our
54:09
hearts
54:10
but
54:11
let
54:11
us
54:12
go
54:12
on
54:12
dependent
54:13
on
54:14
the
54:14
Lord
54:15
and
54:16
seeking
54:16
his
54:17
blessing
54:18
yes
54:19
there's
54:20
so
54:20
much
54:20
going
54:20
on
54:21
around
54:22
us
54:22
and
54:22
our
54:22
hearts
54:23
maybe
54:23
don't
54:23
feel
54:23
so
54:24
full
54:25
of
54:25
thankfulness
54:26
at
54:26
times
54:26
we
54:26
feel
54:27
sorrow
54:27
we
54:28
feel
54:28
sadness
54:29
we
54:30
feel
54:30
pain
54:31
we
54:32
grieve
54:32
over
54:33
so
54:33
much
54:34
we
54:34
grieve
54:35
over
54:35
the
54:35
lack
54:36
of
54:36
thanksgiving
54:37
we
54:37
have
54:37
in
54:37
our
54:37
hearts
54:38
we
54:38
grieve
54:38
over
54:39
our
54:39
sin
54:40
we
54:40
grieve
54:40
over
54:41
the
54:41
condition
54:42
the
54:42
state
54:42
of
54:42
our
54:43
world
54:43
and
54:43
all
54:44
that's
54:44
going
54:44
on
54:45
around
54:45
us
54:46
but
54:47
constantly
54:48
we're
54:48
reminded
54:48
that when
54:50
we are
54:50
truly
54:50
thankful
54:51
to
54:51
God
54:52
there is
54:53
better
54:53
to come
54:55
there is
54:56
a poem
54:57
called
54:57
out
54:57
of
54:58
the
54:58
darkness
54:58
and
55:00
it
55:00
reminds
55:00
us
55:00
that
55:01
there
55:01
are
55:01
times
55:02
of
55:02
testing
55:03
needed
55:03
for
55:04
times
55:05
of
55:05
joy
55:05
to
55:06
come
55:06
and
55:08
the
55:08
poem
55:08
goes
55:08
like
55:08
this
55:09
out
55:10
of
55:10
the
55:10
dark
55:11
forbidding
55:11
soil
55:12
the
55:13
pure
55:13
white
55:14
lilies
55:14
grow
55:15
out
55:16
of
55:16
the
55:16
black
55:16
and
55:17
murky
55:17
clouds
55:18
descends
55:19
the
55:19
stainless
55:20
snow
55:20
out
55:22
of
55:22
the
55:22
crawling
55:23
earth
55:23
bound
55:24
worm
55:24
a
55:25
butterfly
55:25
is
55:26
born
55:27
out
55:28
of
55:28
the
55:28
somber
55:28
shrouded
55:30
night
55:30
behold
55:31
a
55:32
golden
55:32
morn
55:33
out
55:34
of
55:34
the
55:34
pain
55:35
and
55:35
stress
55:36
of
55:36
life
55:37
the
55:37
peace
55:38
of
55:38
God
55:39
pours
55:39
down
55:39
out
55:41
of
55:41
the
55:41
nails
55:41
the
55:42
spear
55:43
the
55:43
cross
55:44
redemption
55:45
and
55:46
a
55:47
crown
55:47
we are
55:50
reminded
55:50
there
55:51
that
55:51
out
55:51
of
55:51
the
55:51
darkness
55:52
can
55:53
come
55:54
something
55:54
of
55:55
beauty
55:55
and
55:57
even
55:57
in
55:57
the
55:57
world
55:57
in
55:58
which
55:58
we
55:58
live
55:58
which
55:58
has
55:59
so
55:59
little
56:00
thought
56:00
of
56:00
thankfulness
56:01
to
56:01
God
56:01
or
56:02
dependence
56:02
on
56:03
God
56:04
still
56:05
out
56:05
of
56:05
that
56:06
can
56:07
come
56:07
praise
56:07
to
56:08
God
56:08
our
56:09
prayer
56:10
is
56:10
that
56:10
today
56:11
our
56:11
hearts
56:12
would
56:12
be
56:12
filled
56:13
with
56:13
thankfulness
56:14
and
56:15
that
56:16
we
56:16
would
56:16
go
56:16
praising
56:17
God
56:17
thankful
56:19
to
56:19
him
56:19
for
56:19
all
56:20
of
56:20
his
56:21
blessings
56:21
past
56:22
present
56:23
and
56:24
future
56:24
and
56:26
thankful
56:26
for
56:26
the
56:26
blessings
56:27
that
56:27
are
56:27
ours
56:28
in
56:29
Christ
56:29
so
56:30
even
56:30
as
56:30
we
56:31
prepare
56:31
our
56:32
hearts
56:32
God
56:33
willing
56:33
for
56:33
next
56:34
weekend
56:34
we
56:35
would
56:35
do
56:36
so
56:36
seeing
56:36
that
56:36
out
56:37
of
56:37
the
56:37
nails
56:38
the
56:38
spear
56:39
the
56:39
cross
56:40
what
56:41
came
56:42
redemption
56:43
and
56:45
a
56:45
crown
56:45
that
56:46
there
56:47
is
56:47
joy
56:47
for
56:48
God's
56:48
people
56:49
through
56:50
faith
56:50
in
56:51
Christ
56:52
we
56:53
thank
56:53
God
56:53
for
56:53
all
56:54
the
56:55
provision
56:55
that
56:55
we
56:55
have
56:56
we
56:56
thank
56:57
God
56:57
for
56:57
a
56:57
harvest
56:58
that
56:59
has
56:59
kept
56:59
us
56:59
in
57:00
this
57:00
last
57:00
year
57:01
but
57:02
above
57:02
all
57:02
we
57:02
thank
57:03
God
57:03
who
57:04
keeps
57:04
us
57:05
who
57:05
has
57:06
led
57:06
us
57:06
this
57:07
far
57:07
and
57:08
we
57:08
pray
57:08
will
57:09
lead
57:09
us
57:10
on
57:10
let
57:11
us
57:11
pray
57:12
we
57:15
thank
57:15
you
57:15
for
57:15
redemption
57:16
and
57:16
crown
57:17
for
57:18
your
57:18
people
57:19
through
57:19
all
57:20
that
57:20
was
57:20
done
57:20
at
57:20
the
57:21
cross
57:21
through
57:22
Jesus
57:22
who
57:23
gave
57:23
himself
57:24
for
57:24
his
57:25
people
57:25
hear
57:26
our
57:26
prayers
57:26
and
57:27
continue
57:27
with
57:27
us
57:28
and
57:28
forgive
57:29
our
57:29
sins
57:29
as we
57:29
ask
57:30
all
57:30
in
57:30
Jesus
57:30
name
57:31
amen
57:32
we'll
57:37
conclude
57:37
by
57:38
singing
57:38
to
57:38
God's
57:39
praise
57:39
in
57:39
Psalm
57:40
36
57:41
on
57:42
page
57:43
44
57:43
of
57:44
the
57:44
psalm
57:44
books
57:44
Psalm
57:46
36
57:47
we'll
57:47
sing
57:47
from
57:48
verse
57:48
5
57:49
to
57:49
verse
57:49
9
57:50
tune
57:54
is
57:54
Huddersfield
57:55
Psalm
57:56
36
57:57
on
57:57
page
57:58
44
57:58
at
57:59
verse
57:59
5
57:59
your
57:59
steadfast
58:00
love
58:00
is
58:01
great
58:01
O
58:01
Lord
58:01
it
58:02
reaches
58:02
heaven
58:03
high
58:03
your
58:04
faithfulness
58:05
is
58:05
wonderful
58:06
extending
58:06
to
58:07
the
58:07
sky
58:08
we'll
58:08
stand
58:08
to
58:08
sing
58:09
these
58:09
verses
58:09
to
58:10
God's
58:10
praise
58:11
your
58:17
steadfast
58:18
love
58:21
is
58:22
great
58:23
O
58:24
Lord
58:25
it
58:26
reaches
58:27
heaven
58:29
high
58:31
!
58:32
your
58:33
faithfulness
58:34
is
58:36
wonderful
58:38
!
58:41
fold
58:42
extending
58:42
to
58:43
the sky
58:47
!
58:48
Your
58:48
righteousness
58:50
is
58:53
very
58:54
great
58:56
like
58:57
mountains
58:59
high
59:00
and steep
59:02
Your justice is like ocean death, both man and beast you keep.
59:18
How precious is your steadfast love, what confidence it brings.
59:34
O thy love, find shelter in the shadow of your wings.
59:50
They feast within your hearts and play from streams of your delight.
1:00:05
For with you is the source of light, in your light we see light.
1:00:23
After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left.
1:00:25
We'll close with a benediction.
1:00:27
Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore.
1:00:37
Amen.
1:00:57
Amen.