"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Part 1
“In everything give thanks:” (a)
This phrase has been hard for some believers. How can we “give thanks in everything?” Or in context, how is it possible for us to “Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing,” and “give thanks in everything?” (vv. 16-18a). Doesn’t this mean we are always rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks no matter the situation we find ourselves in? In the good and the bad? Yes. But how? What does the Word teach us?
Before we get into this verse very far, let’s take a detour and think about our Savior, and make some observations about how He handled different situations, and what He did.
How did Jesus respond to the good and bad things in His life as He ministered here on earth?
A Time of Need:
When Jesus was faced with feeding the 4,000 men (not counting the women and children present), they only had seven loaves of bread and “a few small fish.” Imagine the anticipation and excitement in those present. It was a time of need for that audience. What did Jesus do?
He gave thanks: “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 15:36).
A Time of Deep Emotion:
The night before Jesus went to the cross when He was in the upper room celebrating His last Passover with His disciples, as He initiated the Lord’s Supper with them, surely it was a moving, bittersweet time together. What did He do?
He gave thanks: “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it” (Matthew 26:27).
A Time of Rejoicing:
As the seventy-two disciples returned to Jesus after their preaching throughout the area. They rejoiced that they had power over the demons. What did Jesus do after that great time of spreading the Word?
He thanked His Father: “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Luke 10:21).
A Time of Deep Grief:
When Jesus stood at the grave of His dear friend Lazarus and saw the unbelief of those there. In His deep grief, what did He do?
He thanked His Father: “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me” (John 11:41).
In each of these scenes, Jesus responds the same way, He finds something to thank His Father for. In the good times as in the difficult, Jesus is our example.
How does God, our Heavenly Father, respond when we have needs? Come back tomorrow, and we will see what the Word can teach us.