"In Everything Give Thanks"
I Thessalonians 5:19
It is a very easy thing to give thanks when you are in good health,
your children are well, your jobs are secure, your bills are paid, you have a
little money in the bank, and the nation is at peace. Surely, we can expect
thanksgiving from any person in such circumstances. But the children of God,
who live by faith and not by sight, give thanks even in the most adverse
circumstances. The old prophet spoke in faith, "Although the fig tree
shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive
shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from
the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the
Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Hab.
3:17-18).
Brethren, this is my heart's desire and goal! I want to be able, in
sincerity and truth, to rejoice in the Lord always and give thanks. As God's
children, we have good reason for doing so. We may, with confidence, look at
all our circumstances and say, This is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning me. Whatever God's will is for me, whether it
appears prosperous or adverse, is good for me, so I
will give thanks.
Don Fortner