Text: Psalm 22

Topic: Why thankfulness is evidence of deep faith.

Introduction:

• Thankfulness is difficult for most of us.

Illustration: E boy thankful for his glasses: "They keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me."

Illustration: Helen Keller: darkness "makes us more appreciative of sight."

Illustration: Eric Hoffer: "The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."

Illustration: Boy at birthday party who didn't say thank you because when another child did, the hostess said, "Don't mention it."

• On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for what he has done for us.
• The end of Psalm 22 (verses 2231) celebrates thankfulness.

We're often between tragedy and thankfulness.

• The beginning of Psalm 22 (v. 121) reminds us of tragedy, of Jesus on the cross.
• The end of Psalm 22 (v. 2231) indicates a spirit of thanksgiving.
• For us, it's often one or the other: the good or the bad, thankfulness or curses.

Are only believers grateful?

• Illustration: Barbara Jurgenson's book, The Lord Is My Shepherd, But . . ., includes a facetious prayer of those who think we deserve God's favor, because we're a "Christian country," — as long as we believe in God, we're truly thankful. But Psalm 22 suggests the opposite may be true.