To Encourage You

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

It is nearly impossible to convey the wonder of the truths contained in the verse above.  It tells us about some of the wonderful things that God has willed for every person who is “in Christ Jesus,” i.e., those who have been placed “in Christ” because of the faith they have placed “in Christ.”  It is in this condition that it is possible for certain glorious things to be true of us all the time! 

Notice the language that is used in the verse.  We are to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and giving of thanks in all circumstances.  It is precisely because every born-again believer is in Christ, that these three things are always possible, always within reach, and always God’s will for us to experience. We always have a reason to rejoice.  It should be our prevailing attitude all the time. That means right now at this very moment, and in the next moment, and in every moment after that.  To reflect on Christ and the relationship we have with Him is to give us a never-ending reason for joy.  We are forgiven of all our sins. He is with us all the time and He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He has promised to meet our every need – in His perfect timing – and in the end He has promised to take us to be with Him in paradise – forever.  He has opened a way for us to come before the throne of His grace any time we want.  He wants us to be in constant communion with Him every moment of every day regarding everything.  He wants us to come to Him immediately about every situation we face – every problem, every trial, every hurt, and every joy – and in that communion He has promised to give us His peace (Philippians 4:6). 

And the believer always, every moment of every day, in every circumstance of life, has a reason to give thanks.  What a wonderful understatement this is.  Every good thing in our life is only in our life because God has provided it to us. Every moment of good health, every physical ability – like the ability to see, or hear, or walk, or think – was given to us by Christ as a gift.  Our family, our experiences, our homes; all of it is a gift for which we can be thankful. All the promises of the Word of God, all the privileges of a relationship with Him, such as the privilege of prayer, the privilege to serve Him, and the privilege of eternal life, are all things for which we can be thankful all the time.  Even our difficulties are things to be thankful for, for even there – up to and including the very shadow of death – we need fear no evil for God is with us. He has told us that in all the things that touch our lives, including the hard things, He’s working for our good (Romans 8:28). 

So how are you doing right now? How’s your attitude at this moment?  If you know Christ, it can be an attitude of joy expressed in an attitude of prayer with a continual attitude of thanksgiving for this moment and every moment. It’s God’s will for you and me, and He’s made it all possible through the power and presence of His very Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Who is always and forever with us to the praise of His glorious name!