Village Schools of the Bible

"Give Thanks in all Circumstances..." I Thess.5:18
A study of Thankfulness by Monty Sholund

I remember back in the forties when I was in a really difficult situation. I was a student in the Multnomah School of the Bible, having some serious financial problems. I had a job as an orderly at the Lutheran Hospital and was working under an individual who seemed bent on making my life miserable. I had not been able to complete an assignment in one of my classes in the time set, and had just felt the sting of a rather strong but appropriate rebuke from my teacher there. In retrospect, it doesn't seem that any of these were critical (except perhaps the financial dilemma), but at the time I was in a state of near-despair. I read I Thessalonians chapter 5 that morning and I remember scratching out verses 16 and 18. I could fulfill the command in verse 17, "Pray continually" but felt it impossible to obey verse 16, "Be joyful always..." and verse 18, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

So let's take a moment to especially ponder verse 18. What are some lessons and encouragements to be learned from this promise.

First of all, it doesn't say to give thanks FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. Most of us encounter difficulties on this journey and some may be more or less severe. But we are never expected to be thankful for them, except insofar as we have learned that every problem is an invitation to grow in faith and exercise thankfulness, which is evidence of true faith in our lives. We are invited to be thankful in difficulties, assured that it is when we pass through deep waters, when we walk through the fire God says "I will be with you..." (Isaiah 43:1-2).

Secondly, we are startled to read that to refuse to rejoice, to pray, to give thanks will put out the Spirit's fire (vs.19). In other words, the Spirit is able to use difficulties in our lives as fuel which can produce a shining sense of His presence in our witnessing. It is easy to rejoice when things are going well, when circumstances are easy and when life is free from trouble. But expressing true rejoicing and thanksgiving when we are confronted with darkness and difficulties is a marvelous proof that we are new creatures, that we "no longer regard things from a worldly point of view...the old has gone, the new has come...all this is from God.." (2 Corinthians 5:16-18).

Thirdly, we know that in all circumstances "God Himself, the God of peace, will sanctify us through and through...(I Thess. 5:23-24). Oh, how ones heart is lifted up to be forever reminded of the WITHNESS of God, known even more clearly in testing times. He enables us to look around and be thankful for the very breath we breathe, dear ones loving us, the fellowship of the Body, the joy beyond description, the peace that passes understanding. . This is all God's provision and we can lift holy hands in praise that God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (I Tim.6:17). What He permits we can thankfully accept, and what we can accept as a gift of His Grace, He can richly use.

"Thank you, Lord, for this miracle of Grace, to rejoice and be thankful in all circumstances. We marvel at the wonder of it all."

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