A THANKSGIVING TESTIMONY
Happy Thanksgiving!
One of my favorite moments in our Thanksgiving Day worship is the open mic time. People come forward to share their praise and gratitude to God for His faithfulness throughout the year, inspiring all of us in thankfulness to God for what He has done in both good and difficult times. I sit quietly in my pew, rehearsing in my mind what I would say if I had the courage to step up to the mic. Even though I don’t speak the words out loud, I know God hears my silent list of His numerous blessings, my thankfulness for his protective, guiding hand, and my appreciation for his unconditional love for me.
Today's lectionary passage, Psalm 65, is David’s “Thanksgiving testimony” before the congregation—a song of praise for the harvest and for God’s provision. It beautifully reminds us that God alone is the center of it all as the forgiver, the creator, and the provider.
Psalm 65
God the Forgiver (vv. 1–4)
1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
David rejoices that God brings His people near, answers their prayers, forgives their sins, and blesses them with abundance. What a powerful picture of what Jesus does for us today—the Lord of the harvest who hears our prayers, forgives our sins, and provides for our daily needs. God’s readiness to hear and answer prayer is one of the main reasons for our praise. Through Christ and our deepening relationship with him, we can draw near to God and find forgiveness, comfort, strength, wisdom, joy, and hope.
God the Creator (vv. 5–8)
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
I love those days when the rain clears the valley air, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains stand in full view—what an amazing sight! David didn’t have that view, but he knew that God created such wonders with just His words. God answered Israel’s prayers with awesome deeds then, and He continues to do the same today by calming the storms that rage around us and filling our hearts with His peace. It's a great reminder not simply to acknowledge God’s glory but to rejoice in it, delighting in His splendor and beauty of creation, the work He is doing in and through us, and offering our praise for who He is. When we face personal struggles—loss, financial pressure, feelings of hopelessness or anxiety—remember that the same God who formed the mountains still reigns in power, is Sovereign overall, and cares for you.
God the Provider (vv. 9–13)
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
God, who sustained the Israelites with a bountiful harvest and abundant flocks, is the faithful one who today sends rain to our valley and snow to the mountains. Since we live in such a fertile place where the land produces a plethora of fruits, vegetables, nuts, corn, wheat, and hay, we can see God's provisions all around us. Just as He provides for the land, He provides for our souls, through Jesus, our living water, who came to earth, died, and rose again to save us. What an amazing God who sees and cares for us!
Psalm 65 sings praise to God because in all circumstances, He is worthy. So today, whether it’s up front holding the microphone, in the church pew, or around the Thanksgiving table, pause to remember His goodness, His faithfulness, and His love for you. Pray in faith that He will draw you close, provide for your needs, and fill you with His blessings. Thank Him for what He has done, and for what He is still going to do. He is the God of our salvation. Praise be His name!
As I was reading through this psalm, I recognized verse 8 as words from the song Your Name. I hope you click on the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtYXqgZX30M and listen to it this week.