The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 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."
I have often heard people ask what it is that is God's will for them. Over the years I have included myself among that number. Here Paul tells us what God's will is for each of us: rejoice, pray and give thanks in all circumstances.
Why rejoicing? Why prayer? Why thanksgiving?
As I consider who God is and what he has done for me, I find it cannot be any other way. To not rejoice, to not continually approach God in prayer, to not be thankful to him in all things would deny the reality of my own true existence and estate.
As I think that God the Father sent his own Son out of an incomprehensible love for me, that he came and died a miserable death on that cross to pay the penalty for my sins in God's court, how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think that Jesus Christ came to be the way for me, John 14:6, providing me an opportunity to join God's own family, a place at his table and become a co-heir with Jesus Christ, how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think that Jesus Christ came to make eternal life possible for me, that I might experience eternal pleasures at the right hand of God, Psalm 16:11, how can I not rejoice? To not rejoice would betray a failure consider these things.
As I think of my helpless estate, that I am nothing without God and his aid, hopeless in life, how can I not pray? To not pray would betray a failure to consider these things. As I consider that only through God can I live, move and have my being, how can I not pray? As I consider that God is the only source for facing life successfully, that he is the only true strength and refuge in life, how can I not pray? To not pray would betray a failure to consider these things.
As I consider that God is our Creator, that he is the one who provides for my daily existence, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things. As I consider he has given me his Holy Spirit who dwells within, as I consider he has given me his word, the Scriptures, that I might know him better and his agenda for us all, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things. As I think of the wonderful brothers and sisters he has raised up in my life, teaching me, encouraging me, sharing their lives and the gifts God has given them, how can I not be thankful? To not give thanks would betray a failure to consider these things.
How can it not be that rejoicing, praying and giving thanks not be a big part of each of our lives? Certainly, these have to be found within the essence of each of our daily lives. How could it possibly be any other way?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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