In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
— 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 —
Bruce Alvord: Grace Bible Seminary | Ukraine
This verse doesn’t say to give thanks for everything but to give thanks in everything. How far we are from this! We often feel that we deserve better. But, as the prophet Jeremiah once wrote, “Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?” (Lam. 3:39). Remember: complaining is never God’s will, but giving thanks in everything most certainly is! Sadly, we so easily complain about other drivers, things that break, the appearance of others, our own appear-ance, having to wait, or … (is the Holy Spirit pointing to something in your heart?). This may seem like a small thing, but consider the downward spiral described in Romans 1 and its connection to ungratefulness—“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks” (Rom. 1:21). Complaining was one of the most serious mistakes of the children of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness. Displaying a belief that “life” (that is, the sovereign God of the universe) is cheating you out of what you deserve, dishonors the Lord, and shortchanges Him the glory and gratitude that He deserves. What do you complain most about? Are you willing, instead, to give God honor and thank Him even in the midst of it, trusting in His gracious salvation and sovereign plan? Remember: complaining is never God’s will, but giving thanks in everything most certainly is!
