Thankful in All Circumstance Because, 'The Lord is Good, and His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

It is somewhat a tradition in the Rockey household to go around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day and to share our personal reasons for thanks. People share from their hearts. Sometimes I am surprised. Yet, often the reasons given for thanks are somewhat predictable. Many are thankful for family, or for health. Often people share they are thankful for accomplishments, or a job. Many often share that in addition to other blessings, they are thankful for the eternal blessings from our Lord. Do you know Psalm 118:1? “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” People are naturally thankful when things go well in their lives.

However, our Lord gives other instructions, instructions which might surprise us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 God instructs His people through St. Paul, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This verse calls on us to give thanks “in ALL circumstance.” It is natural to thank God when life is going well. But how about when we have an illness? How do we give thanks when there are family troubles? When a loved one dies, are we able to give thanks? When our country is in trouble do you find reason for thanks? Do words of thanks leave your mouth when we have an auto accident, or make a bad golf shot?

However, 1 Thessalonians 5 is not the only verse in Scripture which calls for thanks in all of life. In Ephesians we read, “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21) Paul also writes, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

The reason we face trouble in life is that our world is in rebellion against its Creator and Lord. The world’s sin, and our sin, causes chaos which we have all experienced. Sometimes that chaos leads to expressions which are NOT words of thanks.

But, did you notice that each those verses of God’s Word which call God’s people to give thanks, also mention Jesus? In a world of suffering, pain and death, Jesus promises eternal life. When our personal faults and failures cause trouble, Jesus is the Son of God who took the punishment for our sin. Jesus forgives. When life seems too much, Jesus is with us in His love. When life brings pain and suffering, Jesus helps us to deal with these troubles.

When we face illness, Jesus is with us. We pray to Him. We know that Jesus healed people in His day, and that Jesus hears our prayers. Because Jesus hears our prayers, because we trust His wisdom, we can give thanks even through illness.

When there are family troubles, we know that the Son of God took on human form. Because Jesus is God who also became a man, He is our brother. We can love our family, even in times of struggle and trouble, the way that Jesus loves us. Jesus gives us reason for thanks, even in time of family trouble.

If a loved one dies believing in Jesus, we know that Jesus did not just die to pay for our sins, but He also rose from the dead and offers eternal life. In truth, life in this world “is not worth comparing” to life in heaven. (Romans 8:18) Even though we grieve the loss of a loved one in this life, even though we face loneliness and emptiness, the hope of eternal life gives us reason for thanks.

Even though Psalm 118 does not mention Jesus by name, we are called to give thanks BECAUSE God “is good, and His love endures forever.” We receive God’s eternal blessings through our Savior, Jesus. It is natural to give thanks when life goes well. But God gives us the ability to be thankful even when life is difficult because “the LORD . . . is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!””

If your Thanksgiving celebration gives you the opportunity to share the reason you are thankful, will you be able to be thankful even through your times of trial?