Series: Give Thanks for Small Things
I Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
Luke 22:39-44 ESV
Romans 6:4-8 ESV
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 The Message
As we begin to look at being thankful for even the smallest things in life we are told in
I Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful for everything.
I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
As I studied being thankful for this lesson, I surveyed the top scripture responses in the Old and New Testaments and I found the phrase “Will of God” it is used around thirty times out of 100 verses. In the big scheme of things it tells us that every time that phrase is used, it means something.
To be more specific, the text writers are making a point by accentuating the adamant statement that this is the “will of God”.
Why does that matter for I Thessalonians 5:18? It means several things. It means being thankful matters to God. It means God knows that we have ‘the opportunity’ to be really thankful for all things and all circumstances. It’s interesting that God created the human brain to produce specific chemicals that help us when we are thankful.
I don’t know about you, but that really ‘hits’ me in the gut. It makes me want to be thankful so my brain will produce dopamine and serotonin.
Yet, time and again I grumble. I want life to be easy. I haven’t counted but I know there have been many many times in my life when I begged God to intercede. Even when I knew what God wanted, I was not thankful.
I have asked God to intercede and to not give me “the cup” I was about to drink.
I could not fathom that the cup I was about to drink could possibly be God’s will for my life. I complained because I thought it was unfair and difficult.
Jesus asked, “take this from me”, because He knew how difficult it would be. When I ask God to take the cup from me many times I simply want ‘my way’.
We know from Luke 22:39-44, “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Notice Jesus did not complain and He did not refuse but instead He sought God’s will.
We know God did not take the cup from Jesus.
What God did instead was to send an Angel from heaven to strengthen Jesus so he could fulfill the will of God the Father.
Ultimately Jesus gave thanks in all things. Jesus knew his death would offer life for me and life for you, and so he drank from the cup.
He was crucified.
He died.
He was buried.
AND on the third day he rose again.
By His death he broke the power of sin and death making it possible for us to have eternal life.
Romans 6:4-8 says, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
Specifically we read in I Thessalonians 5:12-13, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 asks us to “respect those who labor among” us.
The Message version of I Thessalonians 5:12-13 puts it this way, “And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!”
Ergo in all things and in all circumstances we re to give thanks, even when we do not understand why or agree with others.
The day I wrote this was Election Day where I live.
The words served as a fitting reminder that even though we may not agree or we may not want to compromise, we are to offer respect…even when we are politically divided.
As I write this, i remember I’ve voted 13 times in a presidential election. Each time i pray that God’s will shall prevail regardless of the party or candidate.
Today I took my Mother with me and she voted for the 19th time.
This morning I prayed the same prayer.
Spiritual Practice: Pray
Pray for God’s will in all circumstance
In God, Deborah
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