We each suffer terrible trials during our lifetime. We are
ridiculed, rejected, abused, accused, deprived, discouraged, denied, and broken
when we experience various levels of disaster and disease. Only by the power of
God's Spirit within us can we praise when we want to fight or run away.
God advises us to praise Him during these appalling times,
because God is in them with us. He never leaves us, so our joy is always
complete (Hebrews 13:5; John 15:11). We can give thanks for
every trial, because it cannot come to us unless He allows it, and because He
reduces its negative effect on us (Romans 8:28).
God calls His children to live with gratitude to Him in our
heart through every situation we experience (James 1:2-5; Hebrews 12:3-13; 1
Peter 2:20-21). The Spirit teaches us that our joy does not depend on our
circumstances, but simply on the fact that we are constantly in the presence of
Christ.
Jesus allowed His own body to be broken (Isaiah
53:10-11). Yet prior to his torture and crucifixion, he gave thanks
for God's mercy in His life and for His hope of our everlasting existence (Luke
22:19;). He knew this was the only way to forgive our sins, so He
suffered and died in our place (Philippians 2:11, John 15:11; Psalm 16:11).
Jesus is our only way, truth and life (John 14:6).
Our most shattering experience and most dreadful day are God's best
tools to increase our intimate relationship with Him. In our gratitude, we sing
songs of praise to the Lord and serve Him with His joy in our heart (1
Thessalonians 5:18). The Lord is God, and He made us; so we belong to
Him. The Psalms are full of reasons to give thanks to God (Psalm 30,
50, 69, 92, 95, 105, 118, etc).
Prayer:
Father God, we always give thanks to You, in the name of
Jesus, for everything; even the negative aspects of our life (Ephesians
5:20). Whatever occurs is from You for the purpose of bringing
our body, soul or spirit is line with Your perfect will for us. Through Christ,
even when we are out of human options and feeling abandoned, we continually
offer the sacrifice of praise to You with words inspired by thanksgiving for
all You already did, as well as what You will continue to do for us (Hebrews
13:15).
Thought for the Day:
We begin all of our prayers with words of thanksgiving and
praise, because God is good and His mercy and truth are everlasting. - Psalm
100
