Thank God for Pleasure and Pain

Consider this verse: 

 

Ephesians 5:20 – ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

We are commanded to thank God for everything.  To me sometimes, this just simply doesn’t make sense.  Everything?  Really?  Come on.

 

But what about bad times, bad news, bad situations, bad circumstances?  Surely God doesn’t expect us to give Him thanks for those and in those does He?

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Yes, He does.  He commands us to give Him thanks always, for everything, and in all circumstances.  For the good times and the bad times.  For the ups and downs and highs and lows.  But is this reasonable?  Can anyone be truly expected to obey this command?  Why would I thank God for the bad news, events or circumstances that come unwanted and unwelcome into my life?

 

Because He is good.  Because His steadfast and irrevocable love endures toward us forever!  Listen to the Psalmist.

 

Psalm 106:1 – ¹ Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

 

Sixteen times in the Old Testament this phrase is found!  During times when Israel is being blessed, and times when they are cursed by God for their sin.  While celebrating military victories, and when being lead away into captivity.  Regardless of their situation and circumstances, Israel was called to give thanks to the Lord because He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever!

 

So it is with us today.  We are called to thank Him for His innate goodness and the steadfast love that He has placed on us for eternity.  We are called to thank Him always, for everything in all circumstances.  His goodness and loving character and disposition toward us is and unshakable reality no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in.  He desires us to know this.  To seek and find comfort and refuge in this.  He means for us to look to Him and praise Him for being Him no matter what circumstance bombards us.  This means we can and should always thank Him for Him and for the way He has chosen to love us. 

 

The peace and comfort this command brings us is immeasurable.  It means that we can love and thank Him in the midst of uncertainty and insecurity, in the depths of unspeakable pain and suffering, when we feel hopeless and helpless…He is good and His steadfast love remains forever.  This reality of His character sustains us through tears, grief and unimaginable brokenness and loss.

 

God wants us to understand that while our situations and circumstances will invariably change, He will not.  He is unchanging. (James 1:17)  He is everlasting.  (Psalm 90:2 & Isaiah 26:2)  He is an impregnable fortress. (Psalm 18:2)

 

We can thank Him for the pain we’ve felt because it pushes us toward Him as the God of all comfort.  We can thank Him for hurt and betrayal we’ve experienced because it leads us to His perfect comfort and love.  We can thank Him for the bad leaders in authority over us that make us long for His perfect leadership that will ultimately reign eternal over the new heavens and the new earth. 

 

He is good.  He can be trusted!

 

It is the bad and bitter tastes of life that help us fully appreciate the sweet and savory food that comes from the hand of a good and perfect God.  It is the reality of eternal, conscience suffering in Hell that enable us to better appreciate the eternal comfort of ruling and reigning with Christ forever.  It is the sick and disgusting nature of our sin that helps us marvel at His grace that would save us from the judgment that we deserve.  The many times per day that I selfishly fail to obey God make me wonder at how Christ fully and selflessly obeyed the Father every day of His earthly life. 

 

So despite the uncertain economy, the uncertainty of your plans, the hurt, pain or betrayal you may now feel, regardless of your present circumstances … thank and praise God!  Always.  For everything.  Scripture commands it. 

 

He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever!

Justice and Mercy in the Flood

A few days ago I was reading the account of the great flood that God sent on the earth during the life of Noah.  I know the story.  It’s quite familiar.  One of those stories that you first hear via flannel graph in the 3 and 4 year old’s class in Sunday school. 

 

But in my reading the other day I stopped in my tracks and was cut quick to the heart by what I read.  The text vividly painted a picture of God’s justice and mercy.  His patience and long-suffering as well as His finality and severity in judgment.  It left me contemplating the wickedness and utter rebellious nature of my sin toward Him and His incredible kindness and compassion toward me. 

 

Read what the text says:

 

Genesis 7:21-23 – ²¹ And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. ²² Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. ²³ He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark.

 

God had been patient.  He had sent His servant Noah to preach repentance to all people. 

He had watched them mock His servant for 120 years as he obeyed God in building the ark and faithfully preaching repentance.  And when God sent Noah into the ark, He righteously judged those who were in rebellion against Him.

 

That God so severely judged the earth served to display His holiness, righteousness and inability to tolerate continued rebellion against Him.  That He saved Noah and his sons served to display his great love and mercy toward those who would turn to Him in faith and admit their failure to completely obey Him. 

 

God is Holy.  He is not like us.  He knows no sin of His own.  Rather, He sent His son Christ to become sin for us so that the unrighteous (all mankind) could have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.  He asks that we acknowledge our sin and turn to Christ in repentance so that we can receive His great mercy and immeasurable kindness as demonstrated in saving His servant Noah.

 

God will judge the earth again.  He has promised to do so. (see Romans 1 &2 and Revelation 18-20)  He will once again and for all eternity judge the world for its sin and rebellion toward Him.  He will, as in Noah’s day, destroy all flesh blotting out every living thing that does not turn to Him for mercy and grace. 

 

Then, He will set up a new kingdom with a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21 & 22)  He will rule forever in righteousness and peace.  His kingdom and His rule will be established forever and He will never be opposed. 

 

Read the account of the flood in Genesis 6-7.  And read the final four chapters of Revelation.  If you have not yet turned to Christ in repentance, do it now, before it’s too late.  He will judge swiftly, severely and completely.  He has promised to do so and the Lord God always keeps His word. 

 

If you have already turned to Him and found the indescribable love and mercy of a good and perfect Savoir, then long with John in Revelation for Him to return soon.  And be comforted by the promise of God given through the prophet Isaiah.  In speaking of Christ’s rule on the earth he says:

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 –⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 

Come soon Lord Jesus.  We long for You to judge sin once and for all and begin Your righteous and eternal rule!