Thankful for the steadfast love of My Lord in a Sinful and Painful World

I was talking to a friend, Scott Stephens, early Wednesday morning. “How are you doing, Jonathan?” Scott asked. “Trying to wake up,” I replied. I was still a little stiff, a little drowsy, maybe grumpy. But then, a little more thoughtfully I added, “All in all I’m doing well.”

I do have blessings in my life. I am blessed through family and the love we share. I am relatively healthy. I am active doing tasks which have a purpose, and which I enjoy. God’s church has provided me with a ‘second family.’ I could go on. But, I know that not everyone shares the blessings which I have.

Yet, there are reasons that a positive attitude in today’s world can actually be a surprise. As I look at the world around me, I am saddened by the division, the hatred, and the evil which seem so evident. Whether the war in Ukraine, or the protests in Iran, or the persecution in Nigeria, or the on-going tensions around Israel, it is disheartening to see people hurting and killing one another. In the United States we have division and protests around the issues of immigration and the Supreme Court decisions. Those on the left and those on the right often seem to not just disagree, but to actually hate one another. In our own lives we suffer broken dreams, personal failures, difficulties in our relationships with others, and illness, death and loss. In spite of my personal blessings, bad news nevertheless abounds.

Yet, as I approached the new year, my readings in God’s Word called me to the counter-cultural, godly attitude of thankfulness. I need to, and I want to thank my Lord!

Nevertheless, how can a person be thankful in the midst of so much pain and suffering? Unfortunately, we bring much of the pain, and many of the disappointments on ourselves. God is the Creator and Ruler of all. He has shown us in His law the best and healthiest way for us to live. Yet, we often have different ideas than our Lord. Or, we do not want someone else to tell us how to live. Such rebellion against our Creator leads to the evil in our world, and to the troubles we face.

The writers of Scripture faced similar struggles. However, again and again God’s people gave Him thanks. Listen to Psalm 118:1, a verse repeated in many other places. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” This word of God not only calls us to thankful hearts, but also gives us reasons to thank our Heavenly Father.

First, in spite of our rebellion and failure, our Heavenly Father continues to be present for us. In spite of our sin He mercifully still loves us. The world may be full of suffering and pain, of evil and hatred, but . . . GOD is GOOD! In a world where we all deserve judgment, our Savior is constant, or steadfast in His love. In fact, His love endures through our sin. The steadfast of the Lord “endures FOREVER!”

In his small catechism, among other Christian teachings, Martin Luther explains the Apostles’ Creed. Luther teaches that God has not only made the world. Our Lord also provides for His creation. He guards and protects His people. Because of our Lord’s grace in creation Luther says it is our duty to give thanks. “For all this it is my DUTY to THANK and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true”

However, New Testament believers, disciples of Jesus, Christians have another reason for giving thanks. God inspired St. Paul to call us to hearts of thankfulness. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) We not only have the call of God’s law to be thankful. We have God’s grace for His wayward and sinful people, “in Christ Jesus.” On His cross Jesus won forgiveness from for our sins against our Creator and Lord. In spite of the pain of this world, Jesus’ resurrection promises His disciples eternal life in heaven, where “ . . . death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) In other words, even when I have failed my Lord, even when life hurts, God’s “. . . steadfast love endures forever!”

The past year brought some disappointments, some trials, some sin and failure on my part. I expect 2026 will provide struggles as well. Yet, I find my goal for 2026 in Psalm 118. “Oh GIVE THANKS to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

“Yes, Scott, even when I am just waking up, I am well. I am blessed, because my Lord is with me in His steadfast love.”