It is very easy to give thanks to God when all is well. Psalm 103:1-6, but extremely difficult when in sorrow. Psalm 120:1, "In my distress I cried unto the Lord....” There’s always a brain call when anyone is in distress, sickness, accident, debt, crisis, chaos, etc. when anything bad is happening, people begin to call on God, ‘Oh, please God, I promise, I’ll be a better person this time. Oh lord, if you can just provide good health for me right now, I’ll serve you till I die. Some don’t even involve themselves in anything like praising God, only petition. Petition in the morning, mid-morning, afternoon, evening, night, and in the mid-night, you’re eating, instead of giving thanks for the food you’re still thinking, God provide a better food. Let there be meat; beef, snail, chicken, fish; fresh and smoked. Amen. However, the Bible commands us to give thanks in all things, 1Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
The Bible is right because God's word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89. The word of God cannot be faulted for it is the truth, John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth." What you give gratitude about is what you get mostly. You must understand that by default you’re either giving been grateful to God or you’re been ungrateful. If you think you’re not complaining, you’re already complaining, and been ungrateful, and what will you get? Things that’ll make you more ungrateful. But when you sing his language, ‘Halleluyah’, you get even more blessings that’ll make you continue your halleluyah. Two major reasons why you and I should give thanks to God even in times of trouble are;
1. God is our place of security and safety. All else may forsake you in trouble but God will not. All else may collapse, but God won’t. Psalm 46:1-5, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. No matter how the earth turns, the mountain shakes or water roars or trouble, God is in the midst of her. He is unshakable, unmovable, and unchangeable. Anything He says stand, Psalm 33:9 "For He spake, and it was done, He commanded, and it stood fast.
2. God is watching your reaction to that problem before He reacts, James 4:8, 1 Samuel 2:2 "Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogance come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed" Galatians 6:7
Your reaction matters, i.e. what you do to answer your troubles. There are two reactions basically aligned to human emotions.
a. Murmuring and complaining: This is the opposite of thanksgiving and it is a sin to God. Yet this is what many Christians do in time of trouble. It is the expression of unhappiness, dissatisfaction or discontent. Christians are full of complaining of either someone or something. It has become the way of life for many. Please not that all complaining and murmuring is a sin against God and He is displeased with it. Numbers 17:1.
Murmuring and complaining has been detestable habit since time immemorial in our earthly world talkless of when it comes to God. Murmuring and complaining is a wrong act and must be avoided at all cost. Why?
1. It denies God's sovereignty, Genesis 17:1, Deuteronomy 32:39-40 "See now that I even I, am He and there is no god with me; I kill, and I make alive, I wound, and I heal, neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand; for I lift up my hand to heaven and say, I live forever"
2. It is an expression of unbelief. Proverb .24:10 "If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small" Romans 8:28
3. It robs you of your blessings and denies you of operating in your destinies. Israelites, Numbers 14:21-22, Moses and Aaron, Numbers 20:12.
4. It discredits your testimony, Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without murmuring and disputing; that Ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom Ye shine as lights in the world"
b. Praise and thanksgiving; This is the best meal God require because;
1. It shows that we realize and acknowledge that God knows what's best for us, the problems we face notwithstanding. Job 23:10 "But He knoweth the way that I take, when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold"
2. It shows a strong faith in God. Philippians 4:13
3. It preserves and multiplies your blessings/destinies, Job 42:10, 12:1 Samuel 2:21
4. Believers who praise and give thanks to God never focus on their problems but on God.
Little wonder they are always victorious. Habakkuk 3:17-19
No doubt, each of us has been blessed in numerous ways. The more we think about how we have been blessed, the more we will be thankful. Praise and giving thanks to God are the best solution to complaining and murmuring. Therefore when you are passing through any problem it's the best time to praise God and He will show up in that trouble. All trouble comes with its wrapping of blessing, and the only it can be turned into blessing is by giving thanks. Complaints will only blindfold you. David said in Psalm 146:1-2 "Praise Ye the Lord, Praise the Lord o my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord; I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being "What about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment