Give thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 
GIVE thanks in all circumstances could be the most difficult of Paul’s directives to the church in this chapter. Are we to thank God for even the most terrible situations in our lives? Not necessarily. Let’s read it again. Notice Paul wrote give thanks in all circumstances. He did not instruct the church to give thanks for all circumstances.
   Again, Paul is teaching and encouraging a persecuted church. No church is thankful for persecution in itself. But within such opposition, the church can thank God for ways the persecution will reveal Jesus to the world. For example, the Thessalonian church might pray, “Thank you, Father, that you will guide us through this trial. Use this challenge to help us make your love and forgiveness known to the world.” Or they might pray, “Thank you, Holy God, for helping us see you work for the good out of these difficult times we are experiencing.” They also could pray, “Thank you, Jesus, for each of us you have called to be saved into your glory. Amen.” Each Christian has many reasons to thank God.
   Here’s a verse many cite in times of trial: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This can be very difficult to understand and believe when horrible things are happening around you. Some of you reading this are witnessing a deadly drought and starvation. How is God working good in those circumstances? Can we thank God in these life-challenging struggles?
   We can thank God when we trust God for his eternal plan for our lives. We see this even in Job’s story. In the midst of his suffering, Job uttered this remarkable faith statement: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)
   That’s why we give thanks in all circumstances. We God is redeems us from sin, so we can live with him forever. God has personally come into a world corrupted with sin. He is working everything to the good of those who faithfully give thanks to him within the daily struggles our world endures.
   Each of us around the world are living within a great battle for our souls. We must keep our eyes on God, and see he is the ultimate Redeemer of mankind. One day God will make the world new. We can thank him each day for his eternal plan of salvation. Call on his name with joy, peace and patience. Know the Lord will take his church through the trials and tribulation of a sin-battered world. Through grace, by faith, he has chosen you and established you as his own into his eternal glory. In all circumstances you can thank God that he is Redeemer and will live forever with you.