Giving Thanks in Everything

Giving Thanks in Everything

In everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

It is a remarkable phenomenon that we do not very often stumble over the “great things” yet, we do very often stumble over the “little things.”  In theology, we accept without question that Christ is God, was born of a virgin, and was raised miraculously from the dead.  We may, however, balk for a time at the concept of unconditional election, or particular redemption, until we learn the Scriptures better.  In practical matters it is very much the same.  We do not stumble over the commandment to refrain from graven images or from the prohibition of adultery.  We are, however, liable to sin in the matter of gossip or backbiting.  In the area of thanksgiving we can become notoriously remiss.  Our text today declares that it is the will of God for us to give thanks unto Him in every circumstance of life.  We find in the text this word of exhortation declared, “Give thanks.”

We are often prepared to come to the throne making our petitions and requests in minute and graphic detail.  We are, however, inclined to skip the thanksgiving with little more than a passing nod.  Our giving of thanks ought to be as fervent as our petitioning.  We have every reason to thank the Lord, both for who He is and for what He has done.  We ought to give thanks by means of our lips and by the whole demeanor of our life.

Our text shows us the width of the application delineated, when it specifies that we are to give thanks “in everything.”  It is rather an easier matter to be thankful when we are all healthy, wealthy, and secure in our projected future.  It is quite another thing to be thankful when we are ill, poor, and our future hangs in doubt before our eyes.  God would have us to be equally thankful in either circumstance.

We find in our text as well the will of God decreed.  There are some things which are always the will of God for His people. The giving of thanks is one of those things.  It is always the will of God for you to believe the gospel; always the will of God for you to obey the Scripture; always the will of God for you to trust the Lord; and it is always the will of God for you to give thanks.  By His grace, do His will in giving thanks today and every day.

Our Gracious Master and Our God,

we thank Thee for Who Thou art

And for what Thou has done,

art doing, and shall yet do.

Accept our thanks 

for Jesus’ sake.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice