Steven A. Bush - November 24, 2013
Sweet Reasonableness, Thanksgiving, & Peace
Thanksgiving is obviously more than a holiday according to the Scriptures. It's an attitude of the heart that is meant to transcend circumstances- trumping anxiety, worry, dread, and other such thieves of joy and peace. Paul writes a suffering church in Philippi: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) If this were not written by an imprisoned, scarred, thorn-pierced half blind man, who practiced what he preached, we might be tempted to dismiss his exhortation. Of course it's more than Paul's words to us, it's the inspired Word of God, and it doesn't seem to be a suggestion. Neither does 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 when it says: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV) The strength and capacity to pull this off surely has to come from God Himself. And we couple that with an ever clearing view of Jesus Christ--His bloody cross, empty tomb, and a thrones-eye-view of all things here and now. May He help us in our present circumstances as we journey towards forevermore with Him!