“Thanksgiving: A Duty That Brings Deliverance”
December, 31, 2019
Jodi Collado
“Be not drunken with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; . . . Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18,20)
God has kindly instructed us as His children to give thanks always for all things. I think it is safe to say that for most people, even professed Christians, they would regard the admonition of “giving thanks always for all things” a rather difficult course to pursue. Let us continue to explore this verse together and meditate on the blessing of giving thanks always for all things.
In this passage from Ephesians, there are two admonitions. One being, “be not drunken with wine;” the second is “giving thanks always for all things.” Both of these admonitions are equally a Christian duty and privilege. To many, “be not drunken with wine,” may seem an easier reality than “giving thanks always for all things,” but remember, “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) As the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) On our own, it is impossible to give thanks always for all things, but with God through Jesus Christ it is possible.
“All things” leaves no room for exceptions. Our joys, comforts, and the blessings in life that are easy to recognize are often the common theme of our thanksgiving, but the truth is that we have trials and sufferings which are equally included in “all things”. Loss of possessions, employment; even the loss of a dear friend or loved one calls for thanksgiving to God. Have you been gossiped about, misrepresented, or even persecuted? For this cause also we must thank our Heavenly Father. You may be wondering, what if all my troubles and sorrows are a direct result of my transgressions and foolishness? You may not find comfort reading the story of Job who being a righteous man was allowed to be afflicted resulting in bringing tremendous glory to God; but as for you, you’ve brought all this doom upon yourself- what then? Dear reader, even if your troubles are a result of your own transgressions we are always to give thanks to God. He has provided through His Son freely all things, (Romans 8:32) including a remedy for any mess you have made, and He loves you regardless.
How do we obtain this victorious spirit of thanksgiving? Through faith; “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) The only way we can fulfill the admonishment of “giving thanks always for all things” is by knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God. . .” (Romans 8:28) Now, we do not want the privilege of giving thanks to become a burdensome duty- certainly not. True thanksgiving comes from a heart that is full of gratitude towards God and the natural response is to express it. Are you still thinking about the heart-piercing trials and afflictions in your life, and doubting that giving thanks in all things can be a reality? To be able to give thanks to God in the midst these afflictions we must know that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:6,7) God is a loving Father and He allows His children to go through trials and afflictions to mold us, teach us, and transform our characters, and ultimately draw us closer to Him! Even if you can trace your trouble to your transgressions, God can still use those situations in your life for good and His Glory! Is this not a legitimate reason for thanksgiving? Chastisement from God is not from a motive of anger, but rather from a loving parent. God deeply desires that we should be “perfect and entire, wanting nothing,” (James 1:4) and how this is accomplished is provided for us in the prior verses: “. . . count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4) When we realize the result of what these “divers temptations” accomplish, we shall count them “all joy,” and give thanks that these experiences bring us into closer communion with our loving Father.
The Psalmist, David, pens the following: “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD endureth for ever. . .” (Psalms 138:8) When we know that God is working all things together for good to them that love Him, no matter the circumstances, the feelings, the uncertainty, or apparent danger in front of us, we can trust our Heavenly Father and give thanks, saying, “Praise God that He is working all things together for my good, and will perfect that which concerns me!” I’ve seen in my own life how foolish it is to murmur and complain; to welcome discouragement over that which in God’s hands can work nothing but good.
Romans 8:28 was one of the first Bible promises that God taught me how to claim. When you truly believe that God works “all things together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose:” anxiety is silenced, fear loses its grip, feelings of gloom vanish, and satan who is resisted departs.
When you completely surrender to God, through His Son, Jesus; repent of your sins, and ask God to take control of your life- when you are spiritually reborn in Christ your heart will overflow with thanksgiving knowing that, “you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” ( 1 Corinth 3:23) God is working all things together for your good. The vital point is to continue to stay surrendered. The experience of walking in the Spirit must happen day by day. Every morning surrender your life to Jesus and trust yourself under His guardianship. Continue to fight the good fight of faith. Continue to surrender your will to God moment by moment throughout the day, and persevere to believe that He is working all things together for good, despite what you may feel, and give thanks for such a blessed assurance! Dear reader, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God was working all things together for the good of humanity while we were still sinners and His enemies! He loves you, reader, and doesn’t want you to be weighed down with gloom; worried about the future, but rather resting in the assurance of His promises and tender care. Jesus is saying to you today, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34 nkjv) Remember, faith isn’t knowing what the future holds, but rather who holds the future. In 1 Peter 5:7 we are given a beautiful command, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” How much of our cares and burdens? All of them! Hallelujah! What is God going to do when we fully cast our cares upon Him? He can do nothing but work them together for good. No matter who you are, you may go to God through Jesus with all your troubles, He will not cast you out. (John 6:37) Every burden or uncertainty you may bring to the Burden-Bearer. Knowing this, how could we not give thanks in all things?
I encourage you, brothers and sisters, do not let the enemy deceive you to partake of a self-sufficient attitude thinking that you are safe to lean on your own understanding, control your life, cherish selfish ambitions, and walk independently of God. Satan, the prince of this world, pushes people to boast in their independence; in their seeming ability to provide for themselves while disregarding that all good things are from God above. (James 1:17) No, friends. That is not what God teaches. The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)
I used to live my life on autopilot. I sadly did not acknowledge God in all my ways. I leaned on my understanding and my own perception of circumstances. The result of this left me discouraged, anxious, unfulfilled, and not in harmony with God’s purposes for my life. When I listen and follow God’s instruction to me saying, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus;” (Philippians 4:6,7) then and only then is my spirit filled with a perfect peace that is entirely not my own and I can give thanks knowing that Jesus is my faithful High Priest who is presenting my supplications to the Father as if they were His very own requests. How could I not give thanks for such a gift as that freely given to me?
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
I thank God for my sleeping brother in Christ, Ellet James Waggoner, who God used to help inspire this article as I was able to use thoughts expressed from his published work, “Thanks for All Things,” which opened my eyes to the wonderful deliverance of thanksgiving.
Thank you Sister for this beautiful message! We just spoke about the importance of Thanksgiving at prayer meeting last night! One I had missed was Daniel expressing thanksgiving as he faced death in the Lion’s Den.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.