A kingdom-style tradition that is the will of God for everyone in Christ
Traditionally, thanksgiving is a one-day celebration in the countries that officially observe it around the end of harvest time between late September and November. Great emphasis and effort is put on the feast to be consumed and other cultural festivities associated with the celebration. While the time allocated to actually giving of thanks pales in comparison.
But I Thessalonians 5:18 paints a different picture of what thanksgiving means in God’s kingdom. The Message translation says “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
This Kingdom-style of Thanksgiving teaches us three things:
- Thanksgiving is not circumstantial. “In ALL things or in every situation” is a fully comprehensive term encompassing the good, bad and anything in between. It calls us to Give God thanks in spite of our circumstances and life’s outcomes.
- Thanksgiving is 24/7. It’s a perpetual season. To give thanks in “ALL things” means “at ALL times” which suggests thanksgiving is not emotional, seasonal, rewards based nor achievement driven. It’s a discipline to be maintained daily.
- God expects every Christian to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving. “For this is the will for you in Christ.”
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, then God’s will for you who are in covenant relationship with Him is to give Him thanks in all things at all times because He remains sovereign God. While the world murmurs and complains and may even be justified in doing so, God says to you, “give Him thanks.”
Naturally, that is unrealistic. But in Christ, we can do all things as He gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are a new creation—old things are passed away and all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ we are redeemed—we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). In Christ we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). In Christ we have the victory over both sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Christ we have everything that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
How do we maintain a daily attitude of gratitude?
David encourages in Psalms 100:3-5. “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.”
God is constantly working on our behalf to perfect all that concerns us. Even the seemingly disappointing and debilitating, God works out for our good.
“O [then] give thanks unto to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever” says (1 Chronicles 16:34-35).
If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, will you invite him to exchange your sins for his forgiveness? He awaits your invitation to give you abundant life and a reason to give Him thanks daily.
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About CHAYIL GLORY
CHAYIL glory is the all-powerful, great glory of God manifested in and through his believers in the earth. The CHAYIL GLORY blog is published every Monday with insights to understand and apply God’s perspective to everyday life.