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Thankful Because – Thankful for His Presence

1 Chronicles 16:1–7

I absolutely love preaching during this time of year. I love Easter. I love Christmas. I love all of the series we’ve studied together on Wednesday nights this year. But there is something special about Thanksgiving month.

Today we begin a new series titled “Thankful Because.” Each week, we’ll look at something we are—or should be—thankful for. This morning, from 1 Chronicles 16, I want to preach on this thought: Thankful for His Presence.

The Setting: The Ark Returns

Before we dive into the passage, we need to understand the backstory of the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark represented the very presence of God among His people. Inside were three reminders of His faithfulness:

  • The Ten Commandments – representing God’s Word.

  • Aaron’s rod that budded – representing God’s leadership.

  • A golden pot of manna – representing God’s provision.

The Ark was holy—so holy that no one was to touch it. It was carried on poles. But one day, as it shifted, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady it and was struck dead for his irreverence.

Afterward, the Philistines captured the Ark, thinking it would bring them the same power they had seen in Israel. Instead, judgment came upon them. Realizing they couldn’t fight against God, they sent the Ark back to Israel. It ended up in the house of Abinadab, where it stayed for 20 years.

During all that time, King Saul never sought after it. The presence of God was close—but the people didn’t even realize it.

That’s a picture of how we sometimes live today. God’s presence is near, available, and powerful—but we’ve grown used to living without it.

Then came David, a man who knew what it meant to walk in God’s presence. He had experienced it while facing lions, bears, and even Goliath. When David became king, he wanted the presence of God to be at the center of the nation once again.

In 2 Samuel 6, after a few failed attempts, the Ark was finally brought back to Jerusalem and placed in its rightful place. David was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he wrote a song of thanksgiving—the very psalm recorded here in 1 Chronicles 16.

And there, before the people, he gave this song to Asaph and the others to lead in worship and celebration.

Thankful Because of His Presence

Oh, how thankful we should be that we don’t have to carry God’s presence around like a piece of furniture! His presence now lives within us.

I’m reminded of the old hymn that says:

“You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”

And another that declares:

“He walks with me and He talks with me and tells me I am His own.”

We should be thankful—not just for what God gives—but for who He is and that His presence dwells among His people.

What David’s Song Teaches Us

David’s psalm of thanksgiving shows us how to respond when we experience the presence of God.

1. Give Thanks to the Lord – (v. 8)
Gratitude should be our first response to God’s presence. Thank Him not only for His blessings, but for the privilege of knowing Him.

2. Sing to the Lord – (v. 9)
A thankful heart can’t help but sing! Praise is the overflow of gratitude.

3. Glory in His Name – (v. 10)
When we experience His presence, we find joy and strength in who He is—not in what we have.

4. Seek the Lord – (v. 11)
David says, “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.” It’s as if he’s saying, “The Ark is back—don’t take it for granted! Seek Him while He is near.”

5. Remember His Works – (vv. 12–22)
How many marvelous works could you list today that God has done in your life? Not only food, shelter, and clothing—but the mountains and valleys, the feasts and famines. Hasn’t He always been faithful?

Let’s remember—it’s not just His hand open to us; it’s His presence with us.

“That’s not just His hand open to you—it’s His presence with you.”

In Conclusion

Where would we be without God’s presence?

David’s greatest fear was to be removed from it.
Jonah ran from it and found himself in the belly of the fish, calling it “the belly of hell.”
Hell itself will be awful—not only for its pain—but because there will be no presence of God there.

But here we are, on this November Sunday, enjoying the presence of a true and living God—indwelling believers, pursuing the lost, and blessing all who call on His name.

Shouldn’t we be thankful because of His presence?