Giving Thanks Before the Harvest

While praise and thanksgiving is usually a response to God's provision, scripture shows us that sometimes it actually precedes it or maybe even causes it.  As we approach our annual Harvest Festival this Sunday, I want us to see how Psalm 67 first calls for the nations to praise God for His truth and justice.  Then, after praising God, it says the land yields its harvest and God blesses the people with abundance. 

Psalm 67
"May God be gracious to us and bless and make his face shine upon us 
so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
Then the land will yield its harvest; and God, our God, will bless us.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him."
  
It's an interesting thought that the people can praise God even before the land has produced its harvest.  There's something beautiful about praising God and giving thanks to Him simply because of who He is, and not because of anything we've received.  Of course, this is easier said than done, especially in times of need.  Yet, I think it's that kind of faith and trust which God wants to develop in us.  As we approach Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving this year, may we be people full of praise and gratitude to God, first and foremost, for who He is.  Then, as in Psalm 67, may the land yield its harvest and may God's blessing and provision be poured out among His people.  

Please join us this Sunday for our special Harvest Festival worship service at 11am and stay afterwards for plenty of food, games, and fellowship as we celebrate God's faithfulness in every season.  Please bring a guest or neighbor to worship and fellowship with us.  Lastly, if you're able to sign-up for a shift to help at one of the kids' game booths or activities on Sunday afternoon, we'd really appreciate it!  We need volunteers.  Here's the link to sign-up:  
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084AA9AA2DA5FEC07-66824639-2026?useFullSite=false    

Thank you and God bless.

Pastor Darren