Bible Reading: Isaiah 50, 51 & 52: 1 Thessalonians 5
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” 1Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
A literal interpretation of the above verse of scriptures can raise a lot of questions in the mind of the reader. Issues such as the untimely death of a loved one, loss of job even after you have worked diligently at your place of work, imprisonment of an innocent person, etc. We can go on and on to name very unpleasant situations and someone will ask whether in all these we should give thanks. Let us meditate further on this scripture; ‘In everything give thanks’ is some how different from ‘for everything give thanks’. The first seems to be saying in every situation give thanks to God. It is very important for us to understand that it could have been worse if not for God. You lost your job but still have your life. Someone came to the man of God and said nothing is working in his life, and the man of God asked if that can be true. The preacher then told him to begin to count those things not working, he started to count, no job, no house, children not in school for lack of money to pay fees, Car broken down and cannot be repaired, wife sick in the hospital and no money to pay for medication and so on and so forth. The preacher then asked him, is your heart working? Is your kidney working? Is your liver working? at this point he began to thank God that some very important things that kept him alive are working, for where there is life there is hope. It is the will of God that we give thanks in every situation we find ourselves because the all-knowing and all mighty God has programmed all things to work for our good in the long run. “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(KJV).
The word of God says all things work together, this include that unbearable situation, that seemingly irreversible situation and the irreparable loss etc. etc. This is why it is God’s will concerning us, because as the all-knowing God whom we trust He has the ability to turn the table on the long run that will put smile on our face. We must learn to trust Him. It is His will that we trust Him total and complete. The bible says that “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things” Romans 8:32(KJV). The above scriptural verse of the day is predicated on trust. Bearing all situation and having confidence that your heavenly father is aware of the situation and that He will work out something better and glorious for you. Giving thanks to God for what He has done is appreciation and gratitude but giving thanks to God for something you are expecting from Him is faith, trust and confidence in God for who He is and what you believe He can do. God is moved by faith, that is why it is God’s will that you give thanks in everything. Your faith is what moves God to action that is the purpose of the thanksgiving in Philippians 4:6(KJV) “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.” It is God’s will that we trust and exercise faith in Him, for He that promised is faithful. We must depend on God’s faithfulness in order to receive from Him.
When we accept Christ into our life we are infused with the spirit of sonship in God, this is what enables us to develop childlike trust in our God. “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying. Abba, Father” Galatians 4:6(KJV). I therefore beseech you, my dear friend, to accept Christ into your life today and be a recipient of His adoption.
Prayer: Father engrace me to always be in the mode of thanksgiving irrespective of the situation I find myself.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo