The year 2020 is quickly coming to a close. As I write this there are only 16 days left till a new year begins. This has been a very difficult year for most people, with illness and death striking multitudes, and many also suffering loss of employment and dire financial hardship. Yes, it has been a very difficult year, and thus the words of our very short Scripture passage for today may seem quite difficult to swallow. In these very brief verses we have three instructions- rejoice, pray, give thanks. Let’s take a look at these verses and see how we can apply them to our lives, regardless of what we might have gone through, and maybe are still going through this year.
The first instruction Paul gives us is to “rejoice always” (vs. 16). How can we do that when so many terrible things have happened, both in our own lives and all around the world? That seems almost impossible to do. Rejoicing isn’t hard when the good times roll, but what about when tragedy strikes? How can we rejoice then? Paul was very familiar with difficult times, yet he could tell us to rejoice always. In spite of the frequent persecution he faced as he traveled spreading the Gospel, the beatings, stonings, imprisonments, Paul knew that joy is appropriate at all times (Philippians 4:4). Paul also practiced what he preached, as both he and Silas sang hymns of praise while sitting in prison with their backs ripped open from a brutal whipping (Acts 16:22-25).
Verse 16 is a very special verse. In the English Bible “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse. However, in the original Greek, I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always” is the shortest. In Greek “Jesus wept” is 3 words and 16 letters. “Rejoice always” is 2 words and 14 letters. Jesus wept so that we can rejoice always. We can rejoice because our sins have been taken away at the cross. We can rejoice because we are not alone when we have Jesus. We can always rejoice because we, and all who believe, will go to heaven. Jesus wept so we don’t have to. We can rejoice!
In the next verse God instructs us to pray without ceasing (vs. 17). If God tells us to pray, that must mean He is going to respond. In order for Him to respond, though, we must have a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, and pray according to His will. Though believers should remain in an attitude of prayer all through each day, we don’t always have to be praying audibly. We should have a prayerful attitude, acknowledging our dependence upon God. Believers should not be praying repetitious prayers, but pray persistently and regularly.
Prayer is the key to conforming our image to that of Jesus, especially when the trials of life threaten to consume us. We serve a God who answers prayer! We need to go to Him in prayer, believing that He will see us through all situations.
The final instruction in our Scripture today is that we give thanks in everything (vs. 18). How can we be grateful for illness, heartaches, difficulties, and loss? We can’t unless we recognize that God allows pain and hardship in our life for His good purposes and glory. Joseph in the Book of Genesis is a good example to look to. God is good. His purposes are good. He has promised to be with us in every circumstance. We can give thanks to God for the good He can bring out of the events we experience, even if that event is unpleasant.
In order to thank God in all things, we need to be able to see Him in all of the details of our life. We can thank God and trust Him when we believe He is intimately involved in our circumstances, and will be working everything for our good (Romans 8:28). This doesn’t mean that we are thankful for evil things that happen, but we should be thankful for God’s presence, and for the good that He will accomplish through the distress.
We have a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who helps us give thanks in every situation. Rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving are linked. Exultation and gratitude hinge upon regular communication with God. A prayerless person cannot be thankful for long. They are too overwhelmed with their problems. Talking with God replaces problems with peace. The power of praise and thanksgiving can work miracles from God. He can release mighty power through a heart full of faithfulness and praise. When we focus on God working in our life, our spirits lift, we rejoice more, pray more, and then can give thanks in everything.
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