Paul wrote the exhortation, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “In every thing GIVE THANKS.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where the verb “to give thanks” is actually an imperative, a command from the Lord!
Jesus Himself certainly did so. At the grave of Lazarus, for example. “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I THANK thee that thou hast heard me.” John 11:41
And the Old Testament Psalmists were extremely thankful people, if you remember. As in Psalm 30:4 … “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and GIVE THANKS at the remembrance of his holiness.”
One could even make the case that the Book of Philippians is (in essence) an elongated “Thank You” Letter from Paul to the Church in that faraway Gentile City! Especially the last chapter of that great Epistle. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
This too. The Apostle Paul had even developed a system of thought (which takes much discipline) so that whenever he even “remembered” a Christian Brother or Sister … he immediately (automatically) thanked God for that person! “I THANK my God upon every remembrance of you.” He often penned such words.
By the way, I just discovered this little “gem” in Scripture. These words, a “string” they now call them: “A Psalm to thank the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 16:7) David actually wrote Psalms to do that, JUST TO THANK GOD!
Wow!
I guess that I sort of developed this little Bible Study (Meditation) while laying in bed earlier this morning. Because today Debbie and I will mail our monthly “Newsletter” (which is really a “THANK YOU” letter to those who have helped us financially this past month). Who have supported our Bible Preaching Ministry in any way.
I always record (preach) a fresh CD Sermon to mail to our “supporters” as well. We decided years ago that if anyone “helped” us stay on the road, proclaiming God’s Word, we WOULD BE THANKFUL for both the giver and the gift! (Yes, 12 Sermons a year!)
We want to go “the second mile” in expressing our thanks! Both to the Lord and to those He leads to help us follow His Will for our lives.
Oh, I must close the Lesson for today.
By the way, THANK YOU for visiting us today and for studying God’s Word here from time to time!
Can you think of someone God would have you THANK today? If so … please do so!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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