“Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Rejoice and give thanks! What is the object of our gratitude? Christ Jesus. A heart of thanksgiving is a way for us to worship God, to thank Him for saving us from sin and eternal separation from Him. But to be thankful in every circumstance, is that even possible?
According to Apostle Paul, who wrote this passage, it is not only possible; rejoicing is to be a consistent way of life for those who follow Christ. How do we give thanks continually? By unceasing and persistent prayers. Prayer is constant communication with God. While it helps set aside time each day to have quiet moments of focused prayer, we can “talk” with God throughout our day. This persistent prayer will help keep our minds focused, which can be difficult, especially when life is busy. Delighting in our faith helps us remember why we are to rejoice. Because Jesus saved us from Hell, we have heaven to look forward to. That’s a reason to be thankful!
A Touch of Grace:
How do you express thankfulness?
What can you honestly thank God for, even when life is hard?
Grace Application:
Rejoice in every situation, no matter the circumstances. Really? Why in the world should we rejoice when life is hard?
Let’s be honest; joy isn’t the typical response to pain and suffering. Saying “Woohoo!” when we receive bad news isn’t real, nor healthy. When we experience unexpected loss, rejection, illness, complicated relationships, or financial burdens, our response isn’t to paste on a plastic smile and say, “I am so thankful for all the agony this is bringing.” No, we aren’t to rejoice in things that aren’t good, like death, pain (physical, mental, emotional), job loss, or (fill in the blank). All these result from living in a world plagued by sin, our own and others’.
We can be thankful for Jesus, who will one day put all sin in its final resting place, Hell. Yes, for a little while (though it seems like forever), we endure the effects of sin. Still, a day is coming when all wrongs will be made right, death will be abolished, and those in Christ Jesus will experience life with no more sorrow, pain, or suffering. Knowing this truth will help us have a heart filled with gracious thanksgiving. So, until He takes us home, let’s rejoice with a heart of graceful thanksgiving.
Gracious Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus, my Savior, with a thankful heart. You are worthy of all my praise. Forgive me when I become bogged down with (__________________), forgetting that You are in control and have a plan even through suffering. Help me, Lord, to be in constant contact with You, to pray about everything, knowing this is Your will for those in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your life for me so that one day I will be with You in heaven. Holy Spirit, deepen my heart of thankfulness for Your glory. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please seek God, so all doubt is erased. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**