1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. How often do I get down on my knees, even spiritually, and thank God as fervently for His answers to my prayers as I pleaded with Him for His blessing?
Yet this verse takes me further than thanking God when all is well. I am to thank the Lord in everything. I read that two ways.
First, even in times of hardship and trial, I should be thanking God for His blessings in my life. Though I am suffering, I need to take "time out" as it were, from heartache, to thank God and bless Him for His wonderful works of mercy towards me. And there is so very much to thank God for! Not the least of which is my salvation and the overwhelming contentment of knowing Jesus Christ.
But secondly, I read this verse to be saying that I also need to thank the Lord for this very trial that is bowing me down. How is that? How can I thank God for hardships?
At the very least, each time of trial is an opportunity for me to trust my Lord to pull me through. "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus," says the song. Trust is never so poignant in times of well-being as in times of trial. So, I can thank God for this trial in my life that leads me to the sweetness of trusting in Jesus.
Then again, I learn in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that my "light affliction, which is but for a moment" is working for me "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," than the weight of the affliction itself. In the deepest of trials I can thank God for "the glory which shall be revealed" in me (Romans 8:18).
First, even in times of hardship and trial, I should be thanking God for His blessings in my life. Though I am suffering, I need to take "time out" as it were, from heartache, to thank God and bless Him for His wonderful works of mercy towards me. And there is so very much to thank God for! Not the least of which is my salvation and the overwhelming contentment of knowing Jesus Christ.
But secondly, I read this verse to be saying that I also need to thank the Lord for this very trial that is bowing me down. How is that? How can I thank God for hardships?
At the very least, each time of trial is an opportunity for me to trust my Lord to pull me through. "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus," says the song. Trust is never so poignant in times of well-being as in times of trial. So, I can thank God for this trial in my life that leads me to the sweetness of trusting in Jesus.
Then again, I learn in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that my "light affliction, which is but for a moment" is working for me "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," than the weight of the affliction itself. In the deepest of trials I can thank God for "the glory which shall be revealed" in me (Romans 8:18).
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.
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Father, forgive me for all the times that I have cheated and robbed You in my offerings of thanks and praise! I have been a leper, Lord, and You have cleansed and healed me! May I not be like the nine who were healed and never gave thanks, but may I by Your grace be like the one who returned, kneeling at Your feet, thanking and praising You for Your great goodness to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Father, forgive me for all the times that I have cheated and robbed You in my offerings of thanks and praise! I have been a leper, Lord, and You have cleansed and healed me! May I not be like the nine who were healed and never gave thanks, but may I by Your grace be like the one who returned, kneeling at Your feet, thanking and praising You for Your great goodness to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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