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Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner:
so who are we to be thankful to?
what are we to be thankful for?
when are we to be thankful?
the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is somewhat troubling: "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
likewise Ephesians 5:20:
"giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Q: is that really possible?
Some might say: "Lord, surely i'm not required to be thankful for all the serious stuff that's happened to me this year. "
Others might plead: "God, i've been through some really trying times, tests, trials, and tribulations."
Still others might assert: "Father, i just don't understand how i am supposed to be thankful considering the catastrophic condition of my circumstances."
The Lord might reply: "exactly just what is it that you do you not understand or comprehend in my word regarding the words "everything", "always" and "all things"?"
in Philipians 4:6, we find: "Be anxious for nothing, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"
clear expression that our gratitude to God "in everything" should accompany our prayers and also our praise and worship as reflected in Hebrews 13:15: "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
2 Corinthians 4:15 provides: "your thanksgiving should abound to the glory of God"
Q: Who are we to be thankful to? A: God (
Psalm 50:14): "Offer to God thanksgiving..."
Q: What are we to be thankful for? A: Eveything, All Things:
good things and bad things, incidental things and important things, simple things and complex things, positive things and negative things, spiritual things and secular things, blessed things and cursed things, happy things and sad things, better things and worse things, laughing things, and crying things, silly things and serious things, formal things and informal things, uplifting things and degrading things, mountain top things and valley things, high things and low things, health things and sickness things, life things and death things, abundant things and impoverished things, richer things and poorer things, friendship things and enemy things, marriage things and divorce things, thing one and thing two, etc., etc., etc....ALL THINGS! EVERYTHING!
Q: When are we to be thankful? A: Always
Something to think about this coming week and each and every day thereafter , till Jesus returns or we go to Him.
"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
ReplyDeleteI Thess. 5:18
This is a difficult command to live out every day. In a recent time where I had been complaining instead of being thankful for what I have been given, I wrote down what I’m thankful for. After I finished a long list, I realized my past complaints were insignificant. All that I have in this world was given to me by God. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” So how can I not thank God for anything that I am given.
What should I be thankful for? Well, first, God gives me his love and by grace he has saved me from eternal death. He has given me a husband who admires me, respects my thoughts, appreciates me for who I am and gives me Godly advice. It was my husband who shared a verse with me when I was complaining about helping a neighbor Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” This helped me to see that I am to do things unto God and be thankful that I can serve others for Him. He has also given me children and parents who love me. God has provided all the material needs that are necessary (notice I said “needs”, not money, riches, etc.). In addition, he has given me an understanding that He is in control and will work everything out according to His plan.
When should I be thankful? I wish that in all times I was thankful like Joseph after he had been thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, thrown in jail. When Joseph saw his brothers again and his brothers asked for forgiveness, he wept and told them that “what they meant for evil, God meant for good.” (Gen. 50:20). He comforted them and spoke kindly to them. He realized that in the big picture of things, God worked out everything according to His purpose. So when we are in troubling times that seem impossible, we need to remember that only God knows the Whole Picture. He will work things out according to HIS plan.
When I am feeling like the circumstances of this life are getting me down, I thank God that He is there to be my Savior, Sustainer, Provider, Protector, Comforter, etc. God is refining me to become the person He wants me to be, not the person I want to be. Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Refinement is painful, but in the end, something beautiful will be seen. My eyes need to be set on what is above, not what is here on earth. I need to try to not get downtrodden by the circumstances but to live for God and He will take care of the rest.
So at this time of giving thanks, I look around and see God’s wonderful creation. I can see him working in even the little things around me. And I have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Thanks be to God!!