"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Part 2
Yesterday:
“In everything give thanks:” (a)
How can we give thanks in all the adverse circumstances of life? The same way that Jesus did.
Today:
“In everything give thanks:” (b)
First, we need to understand the text. The verse doesn’t read, “for everything give thanks,” but, “in everything give thanks!” In any situation, we may find ourselves there will be plenty of opportunities to thank our Lord.
Here’s how the Bible says our heavenly Father works.
“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” (Romans 8:28).
He works “all things together for good” for His child. All things are not good, but He brings about good from even the bad.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
He wants us to thank Him “for all things,” for all circumstances, for they are from God our Father, and each is tailor-made for us, by His loving hand.
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).
We do everything in His name. We do everything for His glory. And we “give thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
He gives us grace that will cushion us through any difficulty we may face.
Believers, living by what His Word teaches us, puts a different light on our attitude about how we give thanks for good and the bad we face.
“When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude” [1] (Spurgeon).
Our verse of the day teaches us that this is God’s will for us. How should this truth encourage our hearts? Come back tomorrow and let’s talk.
[1] Spurgeon, as quoted by Guzik. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.