As we approach the Thanksgiving season, many of my thoughts have run in the direction of gratitude. This is not a new consideration; rather, it is an outworking of a process of God’s gracious and sanctifying work in my life.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB95)
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:18–20 (NASB95)
… but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Psalm 97:12 (NASB95)
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name.
Psalm 136:26 (NASB95)
Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness [He-sed] is everlasting.
These and dozens of other passages instruct us to give thanks to God. There are no qualifiers listed such as “If you are experiencing blessing, or have good health, or have not been a slave, or have not been fired.” Rather, in every command you find a party who has been, is, or soon will be experiencing difficulty. And they are told to give thanks.
How can you give thanks when you struggle to be grateful for your circumstances? Let me suggest reasons why gratitude is the faithful response of your life:
First, gratitude by faith is a Response to God’s Sovereignty. We can be grateful because God is in absolute control and reigns completely over every situation and circumstance including yours. Psalm 46 opens with a call to Rest in God in the midst of earthquakes, landslides, and natural disasters.
Psalm 46:1–3 (NASB95)
1God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
None of these things deter the Lord. None overwhelm Him. Nor does He deliver His people from them; rather, He protects His people through them. This means that even if we cannot see it, God must see the circumstance of our lives as purposeful and good, even better than whatever alternative we might suggest. He also promises that in the end, all of these circumstances will be overshadowed by His glory (Psalm 46:10).
Second, gratitude by faith is a recognition of God’s activity. If God is Sovereign (and He is) then He has the power to accomplish anything in any way He likes. Yet, He chooses this. This job loss. This medical crisis. This difficult relationship challenge. This grief due to a loved one’s death. He is using it purposefully and specifically. Every. Single. Solitary. Situation.
Romans 8:28–32 (NASB95)
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
And, just in case, we might argue that the difficult things of life are the work of the devil, and the pleasant and comfortable components are God’s will…let us not miss verse 32 where we see that God chose the worst experience for His own Son so that we might experience the best through Him.
Third, gratitude by faith is resting in God’s Sufficiency. He was sufficient in the past. He is sufficient in the present. He will be wholly and solely sufficient for the future. Jesus doesn’t need to level up His game to pull out a clutch victory for us. He already secured it and if it was secured, it is secured, and it will be secured forever. It is as certain as He is certain. Jesus never equivocates about the future. He doesn’t use “lawyer language” to buffer His liability. “If I go,” Jesus said, “I will come again and receive you…that where I am, you will be also.” That’s the promise of John 14. There’s no “maybe/might/possibly” language in that. This is why Paul could instruct so boldly in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, God WILLS that you give thanks in EVERYTHING…in Christ Jesus.
You, nor I have suffered or will ever suffer like Jesus. And the story did not end there…but on day three He arose to give us hope in His claim as Messiah. By faith, we rest right there.
So, this season, no matter your circumstance, by faith in Jesus…give thanks. And, if you don’t have that kind of personal intimate knowledge resulting in that kind of personal dependent relationship…you can. He is not running or hiding…but inviting. If you want to know how to possess that kind of faith that responds with that kind of gratitude, I’d be honored if you contact me on this site and let me tell you what He did for me.
Happy Thanksgiving friends…old and new. Jodi and I are grateful for you.
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