An Attitude of Gratitude
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
He Forgives All Our Sin
“‘This Lord, whom my soul blesses, has pardoned all your iniquities.’ Isn’t that great? Think back. Don’t go too far or that’s all you’ll be doing for the rest of the time. Just think back over the last six months. It’s a harsh journey, but go back to those sins that you’ve been forgiven of. He’s forgiven you every one of them. Every one. He pardons all your iniquities. He forgives us all our iniquities, and He doesn’t measure them against us in the months to come. He doesn’t haunt you with them in your studies at this school. He doesn’t dog your steps with your iniquities. If He did, we would all quit. But thank God, He forgives us. He pardons us all our iniquities.”
Remember All He Has Done
“Every Thanksgiving remember this talk, every Thanksgiving. And whether you have much or little, make it a special day. Fix whatever meal you can afford to fix. Bring with you around the table those you can bring. And after feasting, whatever it may been, push the plates back and tell your stories. Remember all of those iniquities from which He has pardoned you. Remember the afflictions and adversities through which He has taken you and healed you. Remember the pit from which He has redeemed you, crowned you with lovingkindness and compassion. And as you look around at those white hairs and older lives, give thanks for them as well.”
Gratitude Produces Joy
“Remember this, men and women, joy doesn’t make you grateful, gratitude makes you joyful. Joy follows gratitude. And with this holiday coming so quickly upon us, I urge you to take time to enumerate, even spell out, amplify each one with examples and stories and illustrations.”
David’s Gratitude in Psalm 103
“Who knows how many times David wanted to just run as far as he could. He’s known days like that, and there’s not a person in this room who can’t identify with those feelings. He’s been at the lowest depths, and he’s been at the height of his emotions, and now with stylus in hand, he sits down, actually may have written it on his knees, and he bows his heart low before his sovereign God, and he strings the pearls along this necklace of gratitude.”
Additional Resources
First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.
Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.
Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your fingertips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.
Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.