The Cure for Bitterness: Psalm 95
By Josh Smith
For most of us, Thanksgiving means family, food, and football. But Scripture provides us with something deeper. Thanksgiving is a spiritual habit that shapes our hearts and keeps them soft toward God. Psalm 95 begins with joy and energy: an invitation to sing, shout, bow, and kneel in worship. But by the end, it becomes a serious warning—not everyone who starts the journey of faith finishes it well.
“Come, let us shout joyfully to the LORD,
shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!
Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving…”
(Psalm 95:1–2a)
Gratitude isn’t a passing emotion—it’s an intentional choice that pushes us deeper into a relationship with God. The psalmist reminds us: “the Lord is our King, our Maker, and our Shepherd.” Then he turns and pleads:
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
This warning reaches back to Exodus 17. The Israelites, recently delivered from slavery, grumbled against God. Despite all He had done, they responded with distrust. Scripture tells us their bitter hearts led them to test the Lord, and in grief, He declared they would not enter His rest:
“For forty years I was disgusted with that generation…
They are a people whose hearts go astray…
They will not enter my rest.”
(Psalm 95:10–11)
But the psalm doesn’t leave us in despair. It gives us a choice. We can let bitterness pull us from God—or we can cultivate a grateful heart that draws us near to him. And here’s the good news: Jesus faced the wilderness too—but He didn’t grumble or give in. He trusted His Father every step of the way—all the way to the cross. And He did it for us.
The author of Hebrews (chapters 3 and 4) quotes Psalm 95 to remind us we’re still in the wilderness. Our rescue is sure, but it hasn’t arrived yet. On the journey, we’re called to take God at His Word, and respond with soft, grateful hearts—hearts of thanksgiving.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
I’ll never forget Pie & Praise a couple of years ago. Just days before the event, I was diagnosed with malignant skin cancer. I showed up anxious, distracted, and honestly not feeling thankful. But something happened as I stood among God’s people and heard voices lifted in gratitude. That simple act—thanking God together in the middle of fear—was exactly what the Lord used to steady my heart and deepen my faith. Gratitude didn’t stop the storm, but it reminded me what the storm was pressing me into—the Rock beneath the waves.
A Guided Moment of Thanksgiving
Let’s pause and offer thanksgiving to God. Don’t just read this. Respond to God with a grateful heart.
1. Thank God for His Faithfulness
Think back over the past few months. Where have you seen God’s steady hand—even in small ways?
“Lord, thank You for being my Rock. Even when I waver, You remain steady.”
Now shift your focus to Jesus. Thank Him for standing strong where we fall short.
“Jesus, You are faithful. I trust You to lead me forward.”
2. Bring Bitterness Into the Light
Is part of your heart hardened lately—frustration, disappointment, exhaustion? Ask the Spirit to show you. Then bring it honestly to God.
“Father, I confess that I’ve let _______ harden my heart. Please soften me again.”
Now ask for a spirit of gratitude.
“Thank You for never giving up on me. Teach me to trust You with a tender, thankful heart.”
Psalm 95 shows us that thankfulness is not simply a spiritual practice. Thanksgiving is a current that carries us back to God. When we choose gratitude, God’s voice speaks more clearly. When we choose gratitude, we follow Him more willingly, and live with greater joy—even in the wilderness, even in the storm.
And the beautiful truth? We don’t walk this path alone.
Join Us for Pie & Praise
Let’s gather as a church family to celebrate God’s goodness with worship, encouragement, and stories of what He’s doing in our lives—and yes, plenty of pie!
You don’t need to bring anything. Just come hungry—for dessert and fellowship. We’d love to see you there!
