Let Us Give Thanks Always

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.  Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20).

Hey Gang:  Giving thanks was as much a part of Paul as breathing.  Note: in the morning Scripture he covers all the bases; first, speaking, “Speaking to your friends and neighbors in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”; and by singing, “…singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”; and, finally, but not least, “… Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

Let’s face it troops, there are times when we just do not feel like giving thanks.  Our country is besieged with tornadoes, wild fires, tremendous storms that raises the rivers over their banks and many have seen their houses float down those swollen rivers.  Paul knew there would be times when we did not feel like giving thanks.

His key to being an overcomer: “Do this unto the Father!”  Dire circumstances shatter our spirits.  There are times when my heart’s cry has been “Lord, do you really expect me to sing and make melody when I hurt so badly.  Do you really expect me to sing and make melody when I have buried my second son?” 

Throughout our life we experience sorrows for which there is no human explanation.  Some are catastrophic, some are personal and dig deep into your soul; some private that change the direction of our lives.    Our human nature is to cry out, “Why, Lord?” But we seem to find more questions than answers.  Yet, even as we struggle with “Why”, God extends His unfailing love to us.

But even in those times when we ask “Why, Lord?”, God does not turn His back on us – we are still His children, the sheep of His pasture.  Paul’s words were penned for such times - when our heart is so focused on our difficulties that our faith begins to waiver. It is at that time when Paul says, “GIVE THANKS ALWAYS’, rejoice in the Lord always”, even when you do not feel like it.  It is part of the Seed Planting Principle – Give so that you can receive in the same measure that you rejoice.

Sooooo, my young friends, when it seems the sky is failing and you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, stop, take a deep breath, look around at the beauty that surrounds you and Give Thanks to the Lord.    Oswald Chambers said, “There will come, one day, a personal and direct touch from God- when every tear and perplexity, every oppression and distress, every suffering and pain, and every wrong and injustice will have a complete and ample and overwhelming explanation.”

Blessings

Gramps