In Everything, Give ThanksSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: It is God's will that we should give Him thanks. When you pass through troubles, He will give you His Spirit and strengthen you. He will give you the grace to thank Him even in times of trouble. Nehemiah 11:17 tells that during the Old Testament days, a man was appointed to pray with thanksgiving in accordance with the will of God, before the kings of Israel went to battle. Only after the prayer was over, the kings would go for war. And they returned victorious!
Look at the life of God's beloved Son, Jesus. He had to fight a strong battle for mankind. When time came for Him to go to the cross, He called His disciples together (Matthew 26:30). When they had sung a hymn, He went out with them to the Mount of Olives. Then in Gethsemane, He encountered a struggle. In great distress, Jesus said to His disciples, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death" (Matthew 26:38).
A servant of God saw a vision. When Jesus was in great agony in the garden of Gethsemane, His face was covered with blood. He was pleading to God, "Oh, My Heavenly Father! If this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." At that time, Satan appeared before Him and said, "You are in great distress. Is it God's will that You should give Your precious life on the cross? Deny the will of God." But just because Jesus had sung a hymn of praise with His disciples, He was filled with a divine strength. He said, "My Father, not my will but Your will be done." He gave Himself as a thanksgiving sacrifice. At that time satan screamed, "Oh, I am undone, I am ruined", and he fled from that place. Because Jesus gave His life according to the will of God with a grateful heart, He could easily overcome the devil.
Dear friend, even today, it is expedient for us that we should carry out the will of God. When sickness tortures your body, poverty strangles you or you suffer without a proper job, it is God's will that you should thank and praise Him saying, "Lord, I know that You love me very much. You will never forsake me. Thank You for Your love." It is easy to thank God when everything is fine; but it is a difficult task to thank God when our faith is tested by fire. If we thank God even at that time, the Holy Spirit will pour out the love of God in our hearts. St.Paul writes, "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5). The eternal Spirit that filled Jesus will fill us too (Hebrews 9:14). We, through the love of God, would commit our lives into His hands and say, "Thank You Lord."
My dear friend, it is God's will that we should give Him thanks and praise Him. There may be problems and troubles. But do not be disheartened! The love of our Lord Jesus is high above all these troubles. Therefore, let us thank God instead of weeping. All our problems will vanish in no time. If you call upon Jesus today, He will remove all corruption formed by all kinds of sin in you heart. He will give you a new Spirit to carry out His will. He will give you the strength to forgive the sins of others. He will give you power to heal the sick. He will give you grace to thank Him in the midst of troubles.
Will you open your heart and say, "I am willing to fulfill God's will?" The Holy Spirit will fill you. The world and its lusts will pass away; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I thank You for all the love that You have showered upon my life so far. I am grateful to You for the gifts that you have endowed me with. Though I am not worthy to be blessed, through Your loving Son Jesus Christ, You took away all my sins and cleansed my heart. Father, thank You for the love by which You sacrificed Your beloved Son, even for my sake. Give me the strength to do Your will with a glad heart. Strengthen me to pass out the test of my faith. I give You all glory, honour and praise.
Amen. |