“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”―1 Thessalonians 5:18
In our focal verse, the Apostle calls believers to give thanks to God in all circumstances, not simply when we become the recipients of some blessing from God.
The call is to thank God in every circumstance, whether it is in joy or sorrow, adversity or prosperity, times of peace or times of stress―in everything!
We are also to give thanks for everything. Read Ephesians 5:20 and Colossians 3:17. This does not mean that we thank God for evil―He is not the author of evil―however, even in the midst of what seems to be the most terrible of circumstances, we can always find a reason to thank God for His sovereign hand in our lives.
We are also to thank God in every place: in the house of God and the bed of sickness; as we come in and as we go out; when we are with the people of God and when we are among the unsaved. Thank God!
Thank God in:
- Private prayer.
- Personal attitude.
- Public worship.
Why is it God’s will to be thankful in everything?
- It honors Him (Ps.50:23).
- It reflects the stability of your faith (Col.2:6-7).
- It displays the rule of Christ in your heart (Col.3:15).
- It is the fruit of God’s Word dwelling richly in your heart (Col.3:16-17).
Why should we give thanks to the Lord?
- Because He is good (1 Chr.16:34).
- Because it is good to give thanks (Ps.92:1). Thanksgiving keeps the heart soft and prevents the hardening of your heart.
- Because we have received an unshakable kingdom (Heb.12:28).
- Because of the gift of Christ (2 Cor.9:15).
- Because of God’s supply of our daily needs (1 Tim.4:3-4).
- Because of God’s goodness and mercy (Ps.111).
- Because it is God’s will (1 Thess.5:18).
Matthew Henry, the commentator, was once robbed by a group of thugs who took his bag with several of his personal items. When he arrived home, this is what he wrote in his diary:
“Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they take my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
What a perspective!
How are we to thank God?
- Whole-heartedly with our song (Ps.28:7).
- Continually with our lips (Heb.13:15).
- Generously with our gifts (Phil.4:17-19).
- Thoughtfully with our prayers (Eph.1:16; Phil.4:5-7).
- Reverently with our worship (Ps.95:2, 100:4).
