Bible Reading: 1 Kings 22; 1 Thessalonians 5; Daniel 4; Psalm 108 & 109
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
This is a very powerful verse of Scripture! Think of it for a moment – the Bible tells us point blank this is God’s will for you in Christ. That makes it really plain and simple, doesn’t it? But how can we give thanks in everything? There are some things that happen to us that don’t seem to be very thankful situations. There are times that our lives are caught up in circumstances that are difficult. Are we to give thanks in those times too? The answer is yes for at least two reasons.
First, we give thanks in everything because it is an opportunity to pray. Good circumstances are easy to give thanks in, but we must remember that God is the giver of all good gifts and be sure to give him thanks. Difficult situations remind us how much we need Jesus at work in our lives and so we can be thankful in those times for his presence and his help. The Bible says:
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Life will put us on our knees sometimes and that is a good thing, so we thankful!
Second, we give thanks in all things because God is using all things for our good to make us more like Jesus.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
No matter what it is God is using it in our lives for our good. A believer knows this and so we can be thankful even for difficult things because God is at work. It may be hard at the time to give thanks, but we must trust God in the trials knowing that he is doing something wonderful.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If we will get these truths from God’s Word soundly planted in our minds, we will be ready to give thanks in all things because we will know that God is at work.
In Christ,
Rody
