Thanksgiving: Big and Small

Pastor’s Message
In Nomine Iesu
Psalm 95:1-7
November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Day

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus~

Psalm 95 teaches us that Thanksgiving comes in two sizes: big and small. But unlike the clothes that some of you shoppers will be trying on tomorrow morning, when it comes to thanksgiving, both sizes fit all. It’s not either big thanksgiving or small thanksgiving; it’s both and. For now, just remember, thanksgiving comes in two sizes: big and small.

Psalm 95 begins with big thanksgiving: O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise. With those opening verses the Psalmist encourages us to be big and bold with the thanks we bring. We are to be assertive and exuberant and unafraid in our thanksgiving to God. And the primary expression of big thanksgiving is singing and songs of praise. And even if you can’t sing, you can at least “make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

But have you noticed that people don’t sing as much as they used to? Outside of the singing we do together here in this place, where else do you sing together with others? I think it’s happening less and less. Songs today are all in digital format. Songs today are downloaded. Songs today are listened to privately on headphones. Songs today are watched on Youtube and those links are e-mailed and facebooked and twittered. But if you yourself are opening your mouth to boldly belt out a tune, you stick out and stand out. That kind of big thanksgiving makes people sit up and take notice.
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