A GRATEFUL RESPONSE

Obeying God is a grateful response of our hearts to what God has done for us.
God is on the move acting in “Gracious and merciful ways”.
Consider Psalm 111.  Take time to read and reflect.
“Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wonderous works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
He has shown His people the power of His works,
in giving them the inheritance of other nations.
The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is His name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!”
Notice the main thread throughout. God and His actions.
“Great are the works of the Lord” (v.2). And these works are “studied by all who delight in them”.
We study what God Himself has done. The next several verses start with “He...”. God does not
passively wait in heaven for us to get His attention enough for Him to act. He cannot be bribed. He is not distant.
He is on the move! Active!
The Bible is a message of gracious redemption from start to finish.
“He sent redemption to His people” (v.9) Yes, He did!
The good news of the gospel is that God sent redemption in the tangible form
of His own Son to make all things new through His life, death and resurrection.
Praise the Lord!