In Everything Give Thanks

 In Everything Give Thanks

November 27, 2024

Yesterday we were looking at the passage in 1 Thessalonians where it talks about out encouraging one another. If you read further in chapter 5, you find these verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Now brace yourself. I’m going to reveal a deep theology truth here. Are you ready? The word translated “everything” here has the Greek meaning…. Everything! … I  know that shocking, right? I know you were hoping there was some hidden meaning that says to be thankful for the good things and to bless God when things are going your way. But nooooo… everything means every-thing, all-things, whatever and whenever. That hardly seems fair does it. Well I’ll let you in on another deep secret… God is not fair. It was not fair for Jesus to have to die for you sins and it’s not fair for you to have to forgive someone 70 times 7 when they haven’t even apologized. God is not fair,  but He is just. It is justice that demands a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and required us to forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us. And yes, it is just for us to rejoice even when we don’t feel like it. When we rejoice always and give hanks in everything  we acknowledge that God is good and that His goodness is in everything around us. We may not always see it at first, but if you look hard, and especially look back you will see God’s goodness in everything.

How many times has something happened to you that appeared to be bad but turned out for the best. Did you ever suffer through a broken relationship that helped you to minister to someone else in their time of need and brokenness? There were even stories from 9/11 of people who got caught in traffic or missed a train connection which caused them to be late for work at the twin towers, and that mishap saved their lives when the towers came down. So it may not be fair, and it certainly is not logical, but we are to give thanks in everything. It even says here that it is God’s will that you do so! So tomorrow when you gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving , consider what you can be thankful for and rejoice. And I haven’t even started on “pray without ceasing”…. Till next time…