1st Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
In her book “The Hiding Place”, Corrie ten Boom relates an awesome story about the importance of always being thankful, even in the most hellish circumstances. Corrie and her sister Betsy were held in a concentration camp known as Ravensbruk, where they lived in barracks that were plagued with lice. Lice were everywhere---in their hair and on their bodies.
One day, Betsy said to her, “Corrie, we need to give thanks to God for the lice.”
Corrie said, “Betsy you have gone too far this time. I am not going to thank God for the lice!”
Betsy said, “Oh, but Carrie, the Bible tells us, In everything give thanks.”
Still Corrie did not want to thank God for the lice. As it turns out, Corrie and Betsey were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of Christ, and they had been holding Bible studies. Corrie later found out that because of the lice, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, they were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they led many of the women to the Lord. So it turn out that God can even use lice!
It is not our job to decide what we are to give thanks for in this world. Our job is to simply, “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done” 1 Chronicles 16:8. It is important to remember, especially during the tough times, to “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever”1 Chronicles 16:34.
David certainly went through his own trials but he learned of God’s faithfulness, and chose to remain thankful, even during times of running for his very life! “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving” Psalm 28:6-8. “Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him” Psalm 95:2. “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done” Psalm 105:1. “I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord” Psalm 116:17.
The verse this devotion began with, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, doesn’t say that we should give thanks for everything as much as it says in everything. In everything give thanks, which is not an easy thing to do! In my own life, there have certainly many painful and hurtful times. But I when I am engrafted and remaining in Christ, I find that I am more apt to be thankful for the fact that God is still on the throne and that He is using the tough times in my life, in order to transform my character more into the image of Christ. The moments and circumstances still are painful, but in Christ and through His strength, I survive and realize that God is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life.
It is so important to remember as Paul said, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 15:57. Again, it is much easier when I stay engrafted in Christ and eternally focused and not so focused on this world.
I believe the following 2 verses sum this being thankful up very well, as Paul said, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:5-7. “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe” Hebrews 12:28.
Let’s all learn to love and trust in the Lord with all of our heart, mind and soul. Let’s learn to rely on Him to glorify Himself through us and finish the work that He began in each of us!
Lord, please cause us all to seek You daily and learn to trust more and more in Your faithfulness and purpose for each of our lives. Thank You for your faithfulness to us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Have another powerful and prosperous day of being thankful in the workplace and at home!
Thanks to gsiano for this one from Daily Dose.
5 comments:
Over the years I have heard so many different stories about those who have the kind of faith that surpasses all. I think we all need to stop what we are doing and take a moment to really try and visualize and grasp what it must have been like for Corrie and her sister. Hard for me to imagine that, then to top it off, they gave thanks and led others to Christ.
Father, give me that kind of faith,
cas
Personally, that would have been tough for me since sometimes my focus is easily broken. This is something that I am working on daily.
1st Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. As the auther stated, this is not easy to do.
Lord, praying for faith and will power to avoid those distractions that keep my eyes away from you.
LT
Lord, you have given to us and are still giving to us all that we need to for life and knowledge. I pray that we would be men who do with what we have and are receiving, and not be just hearers of the word.
2 Peter 1
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Great perspective!! What a great spiritual goal for me to motivate my thoughts, actions and words today. It's cool that we are related to the God that has the BIG picture who we can rely on to us(me) if I would just let him.
I pray that I He would increase and that I would decrease!
Have a great day everybody!
I also pray for the strength to be thankful in all aspects of my life. Too many times I get upset or distracted by the hard times not realizing that God has a plan and that I should be thankful for everything that happens. Even the lice.
It is interesting to note though that life becomes easier the more thankful you become.
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