1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

TO PONDER

What would the kind of life described in the above text actually look like?

This passage of scripture makes it pretty clear that God's will for us, when we live 'in Christ', is that we would always rejoice, always be in communication with God in prayer, and have reason to be thankful in any circumstance. Well that sounds pretty swell to me, how about you?

So then, if it is God's will for us, and it sounds like a good deal, why do so many of us not experience that. I mean most of us would want to wouldn't we??? To have a deeply rooted joy that informs our actions and reactions in every circumstance (even when some selfish and inconsiderate driver steals the parking spot you have been patiently waiting for). To know that God is close and feel connected to Him and able to communicate with him at any and every moment and be confident of his response to our concerns and prayers - isn't that why we pray anyway? Thankfulness in all circumstances... well... maybe...

Sometimes I do not want to be thankful. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands up in the air and say, "You know what God, I did not sign up for this. You want me to be thankful for this!!!" (insert your own personal trouble here).

It precisely at those times that I have to choose to live out God's will for me. Sometimes perspective helps, so let me see if I can offer some. When God created us, he created us in his image, for relationship and partnership with himself. When humanity turned its back on that offer of relationship and decided to sort things out for themselves, God could very easily have said, "you know what, I did not sign up for this. You chose to go it alone then have it your way". In fact, you might even say God did do this when he sent the flood. And yet even then, he saved Noah and his family. Through Noah's descendants can Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from their the nation if Israel, from the line of King David - Jesus. God did not have to offer himself in our place, but he did anyway. There is no trouble I might face in this life that should be large enough to stop me, or you, from being thankful for that.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you did not have to die for me, and yet out of your love for me you chose to die anyway. May this truth always cause me to be thankful regardless of my circumstances. Renew your spirit with me and help me to rejoice, pray and give thanks to you in every moment. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle