Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB).
Eternal Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is here. However, in this COVID-19 year, nothing is normal. Perhaps shaking things up a bit is a good thing. So far this year I’ve learned, among other things, to detach from sports and politics, to truly quiet myself and rest, and to more fully appreciate the people and world around me. What will this year’s Thanksgiving be like?
In a recent message, Pastor Steve Berger[1] used the term “Eternal Thanksgiving” in describing how we have reason to be forever thankful for blessings which do not change. If we can latch onto this concept of always being thankful for what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, life’s many blessings become like cherries on top of a continual thanksgiving feast.
These Things do not Change
Pastor Steve used Ephesians 1:3-14 as an example of unchanging things we can be eternally thankful for as believers. To paraphrase these great truths as God might state them to us:
I have given you every spiritual blessing available in my Son Jesus. I chose you to be in Him before the world began and for you to be found in Him as holy and totally blameless. In My pleasure and love for you, I’ve adopted you as my child through My Beloved Son. I did this so that My glory, My infinite greatness and worth, would be demonstrated in kindness and mercy toward you. In Jesus, you have been redeemed, rescued from My wrath because of Jesus’ life blood shed on your behalf. I’ve lavished My grace and mercy upon you to forgive your every sin. In Christ, I have made known to you My intensions; that in the fulness of time all things will be summarized and brought to completion in My Son. You have an inheritance, which is secure because My purposes are never thwarted. And I’ve sealed you with the Holy Spirit as a promise and pledge of your inheritance. You are mine and your life is a testament of praise to My glory and grace.[2]
Certainly, as mentioned before, this is a paraphrase, but the truths stated are right out of Scripture. May they begin to form in us reasons for unending, eternal thanksgiving. May this holiday season launch a mindset of ongoing thankfulness which is not dependent on any circumstance?
Thanksgiving Leading to Joyful Living
We’ve been discussing God Himself is our highest Joy. How can thanking the Lord be a pathway to a deeper experience of our Joy in Him? What’s the connection between being thankful and being joyful? In Nehemiah’s account of the Israelites celebrating the dedication of the wall after their captivity, we see songs of thanksgiving erupting into overflowing joy.
Thanksgiving – Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they could celebrate the dedication with joy, with songs of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres (Nehemiah 12:27 NASB).
Joy – and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, and the women and children rejoiced as well, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from far away (Nehemiah 12:43 NASB).
Our continual thankfulness in all that God has done leads to enjoyment of who He is, drawing us near to Him, the very source of Joy.[3]
Challenge
Think of at least one circumstance which threatens to steal your sense of gratitude? Now, think about reasons for to be thankful, like the ones mentioned above, which are certain and unaffected by this circumstance.
Genuinely thank God for these things.
Now think of one or two blessings which truly gratify your heart. It could be family, friends, your Thanksgiving meal, etc. Continue your thanksgiving by thanking God for these things on top of all He’s done for you in Christ.
Rinse and repeat.
Prayer
Lord, You’ve opened my eyes to a treasure of riches to be thankful for. I see from Your word all You’ve done for me. These eternal blessing in Christ begin now and forever flow into eternity. You’ve given me so many things to be thankful for which are beyond corruption and unaffected by anything in this world. Please keep me from forgetting how thankful You make me. And please keep my heart steadfast no matter what the future holds. No matter what, I have a reasons in You to always be thankful.
Amen.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6 NASB).
[1] Steve Berger is Senior Pastor at Grace Chapel in Franklin, Tennessee
[2] Ephesians 1:3-14
[3] Psalm 16:11
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