As Christians, one of the first things we do is give thanks to the Lord for our salvation. Thanksgiving is one of the key aspects of the Christian life. Even a Christian’s death is full of thanks because they pass into glory. Giving thanks is not only natural but also commanded by God. Jesus was always giving thanks to the Father as He obeyed (Matthew 14:19).
Giving thanks is an act of obedience. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t have the word always, but we can assume that we must always be giving thanks. In 1 Thessalonians 1:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul says he is always giving thanks for them. Just prior to this passage, the apostle says to rejoice always. Therefore giving thanks must be our continual habit, giving thanks in everything. Thomas Watson once said, “Every time we draw our breath, we suck in mercy”. Every breath we take is a mercy from God and for which we should be grateful.
One reason we should always be thankful is because God is always working. From Genesis 1, in the beginning, God has been working. Jesus explains that both He and His Father are always working (John 5:17). So every day is a miracle. God is working as our Shepherd who doesn’t slumber or sleep (Psalms 121:4). He is leading, saving, and delivering His people (Psalm 23:4). He is Lord over all things, sovereign, holding everything in His hands (Colossians 1:16). He sustains the universe and nothing happens without His care. In this fallen world, we are powerless against the spiritual powers, but God is Lord and working.
God’s work is loving. Like a mother taking care of their children, God will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). He is always loving and caring for you. His love is not minimal but goes above and beyond. His work on earth, especially His death, shows the length of Jesus’ love for His own (John 13:1). His love and care are constant, demonstrated by His interceding for us (Romans 8:34). We are safe because God is constantly working for us.
What must we be thankful for? In everything. There is not one thing that cannot be excluded from giving thanks to God. Both the good and bad. Just today, we heard news that Conrad Mbewe’s son passed away. He gave thanks for his son who has entered into glory. Even in sickness, tough times, poor times, in everything, we give thanks. We can give thanks for everything because God loves us. The God who loves us causes everything. We can’t quantify or explain why certain things happen but we know God causes it (Romans 8:27-28). “To those who are called according to His purpose”. “Those who are called” are the Christians and God has His purpose for them. One example we can think of is Joseph who was sold as a slave. Joseph endured many hardships until His word came to pass (Psalm 105:17-19). However, we must understand, that until God’s purpose was fulfilled, God sustained and refined Joseph. So God causes all things and He is providing His care until His work is done. We might not know what’s happening but we can trust God in everything.
Another reason we can trust God in everything He causes is because He is good (Psalm 103:8-14). God is slow to anger and does not accuse us. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sins as we deserve. Instead, he removes our transgressions completely and forgives us. He shows compassion to us who do not deserve it. He is so good and gives good gifts (Matthew 7:11). His goodness is intrinsic, His nature, His essence. God is love and God is good. This is most demonstrated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of punishing us, He poured out His wrath and punishment upon His beloved Son (2 Corinthians 5:21). His goodness and love are freely shown to us (Romans 8:32). Therefore we thank God always in everything.
“For this is God’s will for you”. It is God’s will for us to give thanks. The will of God has nothing to do with non-Christians. God’s will is not a law but it’s a gift of God (Isaiah 46:9-10). There are six key things associated with God’s will in the New Testament.
- God wills everybody to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
- God’s will is for the Christian to suffer for sanctification (1 Peter 4:19)
- God’s will is for Christians to be submissive to authorities (1 Peter 2:13)
- God’s will is to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18).
- God’s will is for you to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
- God’s will is for you to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
So we can see how important God’s will is and how important giving thanks is. Giving thanks is Christ-likeness, following the will of God. It is very significant and impactful. The Israelites were unable to enter the promised land because of their grumbling (Numbers 14:29-30). They did not give thanks. Only Josh and Caleb who were faithful, thankful, and trusted the Lord were able to enter.
The will of God is our partnership. The will of God designs and we obey with thanksgiving. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). The Lord works in our lives for sanctification and we respond with thanksgiving. Our thanksgiving brings glory to God. In tragedy, it is hard to give thanks, but when we practice faith and worship and give thanks, it glorifies God. We honor God and lift up His name when we give thanks (Psalm 50:23, Job 1:21-22). So we are commanded to give thanks in everything so that God be glorified. This is God’s invitation to us to enjoy and partake in His goodness, His love, and His salvation.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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