Larry Siegle · Psalm 103
Link to sermon video: Bless God, You! – L Siegle
Reflections about the “Last Days” of 2024
“BLESS GOD, YOU”
(Psalm 103)
Series: These are the last days of 2024…. What has God accomplished in our lives?
Thesis: The Scriptures teach the ‘beginning is near’ of a New Year filled with possibilities!
INTRODUCTION
1. The title of this series is Reflections about the “Last Days” of 2024
a. As of today, we have entered the “last days” and I predict that 30 days from now we will have reached “the
end” of 2024… (not everything in the context of “last days” is about the “end of the world”)
b. We could see this from another perspective and proclaim, “the beginning is near” — 2025 is “at hand”
2. This is the first message in this series, and today we are going to discuss ways we can have a central focus of gratitude
and thankfulness in every area of our lives.
3. The series provides each of us with the opportunity to consider 2024 in anticipation of what lies ahead in the coming
year of 2025…how God’s goodness and grace will become evident in our daily lives.
3. Most of us, spent this week together with family and friends to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving this past
Thursday—an American “tradition” although observed in at least eight countries at various times of the year—a time
to pause and to reflect with a sense of gratitude and appreciation.
THE IMPERATIVE TO BE THANKFUL IN GIVING PRAISE TO GOD
1. In this psalm (103), David employs the use of the imperative Hebrew form of the word barak four times, to emphasize
the importance of this act of honor and worship of the Lord.
a. We often extend God’s blessing toward others, saying, “God bless you” but here, the object of the blessing is God
Himself, “Bless God, you”
b. The Hebrew word barak (found 324 times in the OT), and carries with it the expression of ‘kneeling toward or
bending the knee’ as one who takes a drink of water or to present a gift’—an action of adoration and complete
submission.
c. The LXX uses the Greek word, eulogeo ‘to speak well of’ in this verse…a verbal pronouncement of God’s
greatness.
THE COURSE OF EVENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THANKSGIVING
1. Perhaps the single greatest “celebration” event recorded in the OT within the life of David, was related to the bringing
of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem decades after it had been captured by the Philistines (I Sam. 4:1-10).
a. Instead of honoring God, the people began treating the ark of the covenant like some sort of “magic box” that
would somehow protect them from their enemies.
b. More than two decades elapsed before the nation repented and David was able to bring the ark into the
tabernacle into Jerusalem (I Sam. 7:2-4)—God would not bless the nation without their exclusive devotion to
Him.
c. Finally, David followed the word of God in bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (after some problematic
events)—Uzziah and the “ox cart” incident…
2. The time of celebration begins (I Chron. 16:1-4, 7-12)—in the heartfelt worship and adoration of the Lord with
thanksgiving expressed for all that He had given to them.
a. The account in Chronicles, written about 500 years later during the time of Ezra, following the return from
Babylonian captivity was to remind the people of God’s goodness and restoration to their land.
b. This chapter in Chronicles has a compilation of various psalms that express praise and thankfulness.
BLESS GOD, YOU…
1. The heartfelt expression of “blessing God” (Psa. 103:1), includes the reminder that God has given to His people
“benefits” gemul ‘the produce or abundant yield from a crop’—see what God has done.
a. In what ways had God blessed us this year?
b. In what ways have we seen the benefits of God’s blessing in our lives?
c. God blesses us so that we can become a source of blessing to others around us.
2. God has provided forgiveness for us (Rom. 3:23), He deals with us according to His grace and mercy (Psa. 103:8, 10-
14).
a. Are we thankful for God’s “grace” (that gives us more that we could ever deserve), and God’s “mercy” (that
prevents us from receiving what we actually do deserve when we slip and fall)?
b. Are we thankful that God knows the innermost parts of our being, and with each passing day molds us and
shapes us into the “image” of His Son (Rom. 8:29; II Cor. 3:18)
c. None of us deserve salvation, victory, and deliverance from sin and death, but God made a way through Christ
and the power of the gospel (Rom. 3:10-12, 17, 19, 22-26)
1) The evidence of God’s presence in our lives is how He shapes our lives and uses us in His service in reaching
out and ministering to the needs of others.
2) As we walk with God each day with gratitude and thankfulness, by His providence, He uses our talents, and
abilities in touching the lives of those around us (work, school, everywhere we go).
CONCLUSION
1. This month our central focus will be on looking back at 2024, where are are now, and in looking forward to 2025, as a
congregation, to gain a sense of direction and thankfulness, knowing that God is going to use us to touch the people
of Warren, and all of the surrounding communities, Ohio, America and those around the world.
2. We have people from all around the world who are listening to our messages here, who are rejoicing with us in the
work we are doing, and who are supporting us in prayer each week.
3. We rejoice with those who are preaching the gospel overseas, having an impact in the lives of the people there.
4. Personally, as families, take just a few moments each day to “count our many blessings” (name them one by one).
a. Thank God for whatever measure of health and vitality He has given to us, and thankfulness of those doctors and
nurses who use their strength and ability to minister to our needs and those of our families.
b. Thank God for his provision (food, clothing, and shelter)…that we have what is needed to sustain us each day.
c. Thank God for the members of our families (those close to us, those who know exactly how to annoy us, and
those that we have not seen or heard from recently)….We pray for them.
5. With the psalmist David we say, “and all that is within me bless His holy name”
Outline (Word document): Reflections_about_the_last_days.docx