Broke But Blessed

Psalm 65 is about thanksgiving.

Most likely, the context is celebrating God’s faithfulness after a harvest, as verse 9 says:

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.

I remember, when I was in seminary, l barely survived financially. It was a long three years! There were some months where I had to involuntarily fast, if you know what I’m saying - because, after paying the bills, I had no cash left. But out of the blue, every once in a while, I would get a random envelope with enough cash for me to eat and survive. I remember being so thankful. I remember tearing up, and my heart filled with thanksgiving.

I think this Psalm is getting at two points. The first is like my story, where you are so thankful because you had nothing and God was faithful. So you feel like your harvest is watered and full. The second point is a deeper spiritual metaphor about how you and I were once dry and barren spiritually. There was a spiritual drought in our souls.

But the river of God through Jesus Christ came pouring into us through the life and death of Jesus Christ.

And, because of Christ’s grace and mercy, we are full. We are thankful. This is why Psalm 65 is sometimes titled, “O God of our salvation.”

The implication for you and me is this: Yes, we ought to be thankful when God shows up when we have nothing. But more than that, you can always be grateful that Jesus is your salvation and savior. I can wake up today, and five years from now, and shout and sing for joy, as it says in verse 13, because of Jesus. I believe this is the uniqueness of Christians.

I share this because, when I was in seminary, though I was broke, I remember being blessed daily. I got to wake up every day, study the Bible, and learn more about Jesus. My heart was full though my bank account was empty. My soul was overflowing though my stomach was growling. I cherished those moments because my thankfulness for Christ was as genuine as it can be. Because I had nothing, but I felt like, because of Jesus, I had everything.

What is one way you can celebrate God’s faithfulness today?

For those who are in a drought season situationally, what an opportunity to be thankful for Jesus alone.

Jesus lived the life you could not have ever lived and died the death you should’ve received. This is the gospel. Are you thankful?

I pray that God will give you His joy and song so that you can say today, “Jesus, I thank you.” Amen.

Pastor Sean

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