Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 100, and John 6:25-35
There is a saying that grudges are engraved in rivers, and kindnesses are engraved in rocks. The idea is to engrave my enemies and those who have tormented me in water, and quickly forget them. On the other hand, the titles of gratitude that should not be forgotten need to be engraved on a rock and remembered for a long time. But life often does the opposite: we easily forget things we should be grateful for, and we long remember grudges we should forget.
Looking back on this year, I’m grateful for so many things. My family has moved, the kids love school, and we are happy with our lives. God also sent me good friends. When I think of the church, my heart warms. Some church members try to attend the church every Sunday. They are believers with a strong sense of responsibility, as firm as the long history of our denomination and church. Some believers are trying a new mission from God. Some members continue to suggest positive missionary topics to me. The sounds of children’s cries and laughter can be heard every Sunday. I can say that these are the hopes of our church and my reasons for gratitude. I give thanks to God, and at the same time, I thank you all for your active and positive cooperation.
The author of the Psalm calls us to enter God’s courts with gratitude, as reflected in the title of the sermon, and praise the Creator. He invites people to praise and sing to God throughout. He commands us to worship the God who created us and the God who sustains us. He praises God’s everlasting love. He urges the people of the earth to praise God aloud. The poet proclaims the kingship of Jehovah and calls on us to serve him with joy. Jehovah loves his people, his children, very much and delights in saving them. Like parents who want their children to go on the right path, He guides us through prophets and His Word. God commands His children through prophets and poets: Praise God. Give thanks to God. Be thankful nonetheless. Even though the past year has been challenging at times, and some members may have had financial and emotional difficulties, God calls us to rejoice in Him at this very moment. Nevertheless. And yet, we have much to be thankful for. The family gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. I never knew that family gatherings could be such a blessing. When I lived in a small country like Korea, it wasn’t that difficult for my family to get together. But coming to Canada made me realize how grateful I am for my family being together. Living far away from family makes me realize how blessed and thankful I am to be able to hold their hands and share meals.
Dear friends, let’s take a moment to remember the things we are grateful for this year. Let us go forward and praise and worship the Lord, and take a moment to look at our neighbors around us. This is Deuteronomy 11. “Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.” Israel shall rejoice in the Levites and the foreigners residing among you. In every community, past or present, there are vulnerable or marginalized groups. They are sometimes not economically well-off, sometimes from third-world countries, and sometimes they cannot participate in mainstream society. It is a word that tells us to remember them at that very time. The expression, “Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice” is a request made to the Israelites when they celebrated major festivals. They are asked to choose precious things in their lives and offer them to God. And God commands Israel to observe these major festivals without fail. At this time, the Israelites gathered together and, in gratitude for this holy gathering, offered the harvested grain to God, and the Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans were told to enjoy it together.
In this way, no one is excluded from God’s blessings and grace. God draws to the center those who are forgotten in society and have nothing to boast about. To those who have begged for help, forgotten their names, and lost their language, God commands restoration through the prophets and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came to revive many people whose bodies were alive but whose souls were not. He calls them to worship God together through the prophet.
Why is that? Because initially, Israel was also a foreigner in Egypt. It is a word that reminds us of the grace of God that helped small and powerless people. He tells us to remember the history of God who saved and liberated Israel, a minority and second-class citizen. He calls us to approach God with praise and thanksgiving. God, who has heard the persecution of Israel, now hears the groans of other Gentiles and the weak around Israel. So, the Creator invites them to a banquet. Finally, God breaks down the wall of separation between Israel and them. They are foreigners who do not have their own land. So, they cannot enjoy God’s grace and the abundance of the harvest because there is no grain to harvest. When others are enjoying abundance and joy, they are the ones who cannot participate in that joy. God commanded Israel to care for them, and He tells us the same thing today. God tells us to rejoice with them. Many people around us would be driven into financial crisis if they were unable to work for just a month or two. Some people suffer from crises not only due to material poverty but also due to a lack of love. Some people live on the streets despite having two or three houses. Because there is pain in their heart. Sometimes I feel the challenge of being in a downtown church. But because of that challenge, we can clearly think about the reason and purpose of our church’s existence. It’s painful to see homeless people and people on drugs every day. But we can pray for them and make plans to help them. We may be small, but we will move forward with a mission. Let us move forward together, saying Amen to this mission.