-November 24, 2021-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Today is the day before Thanksgiving which is a busy day for traveling by car, plane, or other means of transportation. As the nursery rhyme says, “Over the river and through woods to grandmother’s house we go.” Roads and airports will be packed. For those staying home, it will be a busy day of preparing the house, cooking, baking, and picking up last minute things. Sound familiar?
In the midst of our busyness, or shall I say hectic times, we need to remember what the day is all about. Yes, it is about family, food, and football, but more than that it is about pausing our busy lives to give thanks to God, who is the source of every blessing. It is much easier to thank God for all the good things and good times, but much more difficult to thank Him for our trials, hardships, and struggles. Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Not only do we need to thank God in everything, but it is God’s will for us. One of my favorite quotes is, “Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.” It takes a surrendered heart coupled with a grateful heart to make a joyful heart. When we realize that everything is from God, either His perfect will or His permissive will. He has a purpose for everything and works all things together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose, as Paul told us in Romans 8:28.
I heard a story years ago, given by a preacher whose son was a college running back for San Jose State University. I never forgot it. The young man was a believer and played his heart out. The seconds were ticking down at end of the game. He took the handoff and thundered toward the goal line, but he came up just a yard short and his team lost. He told his dad later, “It was sure hard to be thankful at that moment.” There are times in life we fail, come up short, lose, don’t get into our chosen college, don’t get the job or the promotion we’d hoped for, or any other disappointing circumstances. It shows our spiritual maturity when we can thank the Lord in all things. We thank Him He is in control and He knows what is best for us. Things could always be worse.
So as we thank the Lord, let us thank Him in everything, every time, and everyday. Not only will we be doing God’s will, but we will be giving Him glory. God’s clouds do have silver linings for those who look carefully for them. Rainbows appear on rainy days as the sun breaks through. There may not be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but there will be the sunshine of God’s grace.
Have a blessed pre-Thanksgiving Day and please take the time to thank God in everything, the bitter and the sweet. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
p.s. – Part II tomorrow will be “Thank God For Everything.”
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 