Give thanks to the Lord in ALL situations

(1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)

The scripture I am reviewing today shows Paul speaking about thanksgiving and prayer for the joy he and those with him felt for the Thessalonians church.

Thinking about this, it is important we give thanks to the Lord in all situations. In fact there is no situation we may find ourselves in where we cannot or give thanks to the Lord.

Thanksgiving is an important part of building our relationship with the Lord, so let’s have a look at what this means.

Give thanks to the Lord in all situations

Let us quickly look at this scripture today.

9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God, 10 praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)

There are a number of words that jump out to me or come to mind when I read this scripture.

They are: thanksgiving, joy, constant prayer, and building up faith.

In this scripture these are all linked together and are various facets of the need and value we receive when we given thanks to the Lord in all situations. So let’s have a look at these things in a little more depth.

Thanksgiving with Joy

I cannot imagine a situation where you could give thanks without being joyful.

The whole concept of giving thanks brings thoughts of joy. It is in joy that we do give thanks and through giving thanks we feed our joy.

And one of the great things that happens when we give thanks is that it lifts us up in joy. When you take a moment to consider all of the things for which you can give thanks, it creates a feeling of joy within you.

Stop for a moment now and consider all of the blessings you have in your life, whatever they may be. Family, friends, work, hobbies, or even just a beautiful day.

When you spend a few moments to think about those things that are blessings, you can’t help but feel a sense of joy. And when you do feel that joy, spend a moment to give thanks to the Lord because ultimately He is the source of all joy.

This is especially true when we realise that in Jesus we receive the opportunity to have life. He protects us in this life and teaches us how to find a way to the next life. And that is a great reason for thanksgiving with joy.

Thanksgiving with prayer

Now when we identify those things that give us joy and for which we can and should give thanks, we need to do so. We need to offer up prayers of thanks to the Lord. We need to show Him that we are thankful for His intervention in our lives.

Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do in our walk with the Lord. It is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil and it is the most powerful tool for good when used.

Prayer is communication. In prayer, we have conversations with God. Prayer is connection. And in all of these prayer is the means by which we give thanks to the Lord in all situations.

A prayer of joy, giving thanks to the Lord is a powerful statement as it helps build us up as we recognise all that He has done and is continuing to do in our lives.

Prayer is the ultimate expression of thanksgiving as we humble ourselves before the Lord recognising Him as Saviour, Sovereign, King and Lord of all.

Thanksgiving to build up with faith

One more aspect to consider when we give thanks to the Lord in all situations, is the powerful effect it has on our faith.

As we pray and give thanks to the Lord we are lifted up. Our spirits may be weak when we are troubled or under attack. But when we give thanks we are turning those issues over to the Lord. We give thanks to Him who supports us and helps us through difficult situations.

As we give thanks, focusing on the positive things rather than the negatives, dark clouds life. Those things that are pulling us down lift off us as we focus our minds on the things of the Lord. We look to the light as we give thanks to the Lord in all situations, rather than falling into darkness.

And the Lord blesses us in those times. He helps us through the dark times by lifting our burdens and overcoming the forces that stand against us.

Consider in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas were thrown into the prison. What did they do? Were they depressed and bemoaning their wrongful imprisonment? Were they uttering threats of violence against their jailers?

No! They were praying and singing to the Lord. Regardless of the many blows they had taken and that they were locked up in the prison stocks. In spite of the beatings they had suffered, they were actually SINGING to the Lord. They were expressing their thanksgiving and joy to the Lord even in this dark situation.

They had no control over what was happening, but the Lord did. And we see how the Lord took control and the blessing was expanded so that many were blessed in the thanksgiving of Paul and Silas.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:25-31)

Give thanks to the Lord in ALL situations

As we see in this scripture, the prisoners were blessed, Paul and Silas were released, and the jailer and his family found Jesus. What a great blessing came from Paul and Silas giving thanks to the Lord in spite of their awful situation.

The Lord took control of their situation because they were giving Him thanks. Do you think that earthquake and all of the rest of what happened that night would have occurred if they had not kept their focus on the Lord?

I very much doubt it.

It was because they gave thanks that the Lord stepped in to resolve what to anyone else looked like a hopeless situation.

And you need to do the same.

COVID-19 has created many hopeless situations. But the Lord has it all under control. There is no situation you may come across that He cannot control and resolve.

When you give thanks to the Lord in all situations, even the tough ones like Paul and Silas faced, then you receive His blessings.

Never stop giving thanks to the Lord. It builds up your faith. Thanksgiving strengthens your hope. It also keeps you humble as you recognise the might of the Lord and you subject yourself under His mighty hand.

In fact there is no situation, good or bad, that cannot be improved by giving thanks to the Lord. So do that often and regularly as you walk with Christ and see the blessings of the Lord in your life.

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