First Baptist Church, Somerville, NJ

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Created: 26 October 2020

“In Everything Give Thanks”

 In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Apostle Paul writes, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Paul simply says to the Christians in Thessalonica and to each of us today there are no exceptions, no excuses, no matter the situation —in everything give thanks. We are to find a reason to thank God daily in our lives.

One may ask how a person gives thanks for a sickness such as coronavirus, or cancer? How can loving and grieving parents be thankful for losing their child? How can persons be thankful for destructive hurricanes or wildfires that destroy human lives and property? How can a victim of physical and sexual abuse be thankful for what has happened to them? These are difficult questions, but they are the kinds of questions many ask whenever they read today’s passage of scripture. How do we give, (why should we), give thanks when our circumstances involve a tragedy? Perhaps it will help us to better understand Paul’s intent if we will note that he writes – ‘in’ everything and not ‘for’ everything. Those two simple little words make a big difference. Those who are thankful ‘for’ something are so because they find delight in the circumstances.

In other words – “I am so thankful for how much I have been blessed!” Yet it requires no faith or relationship with God to be thankful for a blessing.  Psalm 106:1 says, "Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" (NKJV). We are told in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (NKJV). And Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

To give thanks, we must recognize that God is in control of all circumstances surrounding our lives. We must realize that God loves us and is always looking out for our eternal benefit, even if what we are presently going through is difficult. And we must remember that God is wiser than we are. He is always dealing with us for our best and eternal good. But sometimes what is good for us eternally is not easy for us temporarily. God will make that decision and work in our lives.

As we celebrate our 177^th Church Anniversary, 2020 National Observance of Children's Sabbath, Thanksgiving with family and friends, we should never forget to say thank you for the blessings God has already given. The challenge to live gratefully is in and for all of us. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can always find a reason to say, “Thank you”” to our Creator, who gives us every breath in the same way, God will take the events of our lives, the good things and the so-called bad things, and put them in the oven of adversity.

Then when it is all done, sometimes much later, we will realize that it is good. What may seem bad today actually may be good tomorrow. So we need to trust God and give thanks in everything.

Yours in Christ,

 Pastor  Loreno R. Flemmings