Scripture Passage
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Observation
There’s a whole series of brief commands at the close of 1 Thessalonians, any of which would be excellent fodder for a day’s consideration. But verses 16-18 comprise a sort of holy trifecta—a trio of commands that are oft quoted and seldom obeyed! “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT).
I’m reflecting, this morning, on how every one of these commands is tied to confidence in Christ. When I’m sure that Jesus directs my steps and has just the right things planned for my life, I can always be joyful. When I’m sure He is my source of all things good—of strength for the day, hope for tomorrow, and forgiveness for yesterday—why would I ever push Him out of my mind or stop communicating? When I recognize even part of all He’s done for me, gratitude becomes the natural, even automatic, response. Jesus Christ becomes the foundation for my obedience to these commands—and I don’t obey begrudgingly, but quite naturally, because of who He is and what He’s done.
Part of me is inclined to point out how very much more difficult circumstances were for these Thessalonian believers, and therefore how much more difficult it would have been for them to obey these commands than even me. But the truth is (he writes, repeating himself), my “compliance” with these commands isn’t contingent upon the severity of my circumstances or the strength of my will. It is contingent upon my confidence in Christ. And I can be confident in Christ regardless of my context…regardless of my day or my difficulties. He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
“Lord, let my life evidence joy, prayerfulness, and gratitude—not because of context but because of Christ!”
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