Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The noted Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, after being robbed by thieves, wrote of his experience in his diary: “Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse [wallet], they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” Someone once said that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond. Thanksgiving is an attitude and Matthew Henry’s response to his experience was a great example of a faith-filled attitude in a difficult circumstance.
There was a time a number of years ago when I was so burdened by something that I embarked upon an extended season of prayer and fasting. When the answer came it was not what I had hoped and, initially, I was left feeling shaken and reeling with disbelief. As it happened, at the time I was leading a Bible study on “Prayer” of all things! The Lord immediately filled me with His peace and reminded me that those months of fasting and praying had not yielded the answer I was expecting but rather, in time, yielded a response filled with the peace of God.
Praying doesn’t guarantee that we will receive all we ask exactly the way we picture it but, as we ask in thanksgiving, our hearts are prepared for whatever the outcome. Our circumstances shouldn’t stand in the way of our thanksgiving and gratitude to God, for He is sovereignly in control. Romans 8:28, offers this comfort to us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” We are not required to thank Him FOR the outcome but THROUGH the outcome.
Think of some ways you can express your thanks to God. Here’s one to get you started—thank Him that He chose you and knew you by name even before you were born! Let us thank Him, for all He is doing in our lives right now and in advance for all that He has planned out for us. Thank Him in the morning, thank Him in the evening and every moment in between, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.” (Ps 100:5)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for the many ways You love us, care for us, and for Your answers to our prayers, even the answers we don’t expect. Thank You for encouraging us to come to You in prayer and may the things we have learned serve to make thanksgiving an essential part of our daily prayer life. For Your sake, Amen.
~ painting by Ebenezer Newman Downard
