3 Responsibilities Concerning the Will of God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18) – Part 3

3 Responsibilities Concerning the Will of God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18) – Part 3

I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

3. Our Petition - In every thing give thanks: (I Thessalonians 5:18)

The church in Thessalonica had reason for thanksgiving. They had faced much adversity, but God had been good and blessed them abundantly. Paul exhorted them to give thanks unto the Lord in every situation and circumstance. In everything refers to all that occurs in life. Because God is at work in our lives, and no matter what we go through He is there with us and He's working in us and through us, we can give thanks. Romans 8:28, 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.”

I know that we have a hard time being thankful for the trials of life, but they too are for our benefit. It is in our adversity that we learn to trust the Lord and are made more like Him. We will never face anything that our God is not able to handle. He is sovereign in every aspect of our lives. We can give thanks in every situation. In our praise to God we are to rejoice always and we are to give thanks in everything. God commands His people to give thanks to Him! We should give God praise, honor, and glory because of what He has given to us. God gave Jesus for us and when we trusted Jesus as our Lord, Jesus came into our heart. The reason I can give thanks in everything is because Jesus lives in my heart.

Scripture says to give thanks “in” everything; “not for” everything. It includes good things and bad things, joys and sorrows, gains and losses, hurts and health, good news and bad news. In everything give thanks! At all times, in all circumstances, give thanks to God. We don’t have to be thankful for our trials. But we can’t be thankful in them since we know the Lord is going to use it for our good in the future. We don’t have to be thankful when a loved one dies, but we can be thankful that we know we will see them again, or the Lord will give us peace and strength to get through. Faith can give thanks in all things, because faith realizes that whatever comes to pass comes to pass by the will of God. Give thanks because whatever your present circumstances, this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This is a difficult command, but a divine command. Thanksgiving to God is to be given in adversity and prosperity, for no matter what happens all things work together for the believer's good and for the glory of God. For Christians there is no situation in which we cannot give thanks. A life of prayer and devotion leads to a thankful heart.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you thanked God today for His many blessings in your life?
• How will you continue the spirit of thankfulness into the next year?

Points to Ponder:

• We are commanded to rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks.
• Even though we’ll never obey these commands perfectly, we should be working at making progress, because, “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

PRAYER: Father, Your Word says to always give thanks and to give thanks for everything. Without Your help, that is impossible. Forgive me for all the times that I worry about my situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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