Seasons Of The LordSample

Being Thankful for All Things

“In every thing give thanks.”  —1 Thessalonians 5:18

Each of us should pray daily the following petition which is found in the Anglican Order of Service: “We beseech Thee to make us truly sensible of Thy mercy, and give us hearts always ready to express our thankfulness, not only by words, but also by our lives, in being more obedient to Thy holy commandments.”

In Paul’s quartet of words, there are precious truths to ponder. 

In. The apostle did not say, “For everything give thanks”; and we are glad. Certain calamities overtake us for which we cannot kneel down and express gratitude. But we can give thanks in them because we know that our all-wise God never makes a mistake and that what He permits must be for His glory and for our good.

Everything. Paul did not say some things but “every thing.” We find it easy to be grateful for the good things of life but not for the bitter cup. Yet the dark threads are as needful as the threads of gold and silver in God’s pattern for your life and mine. Apart from His supporting grace, it is hard to pray, as did an unknown writer:

Through dark and dearth, through fire and frost,

With emptied arms and treasures lost, I thank

Thee while my days go on.

Give. This is a sacrificial word and implies, as Whittier suggested, “each loving life a psalm of gratitude.” Are we not enjoined to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually” (Hebrews 13:15)? We must take time to meditate upon all the benefits so freely and fully bestowed and praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

Thanks. Thanksgiving for all things is never out of season, for we have always so much to be thankful for, and gratitude pleases the bountiful giver. With another unknown writer we sing:

"A thousand blessings, Lord, to us Thou dost impart,

We ask one blessing more, O Lord—a thankful heart!"

Amen.

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