Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


In these verses there are three incredible commands, that seem to be impossible to fulfill, and yet one extremely compelling reason of why I should strive to fulfill them.


Today is the final day in this meditation. Today I will look at this verse and think about the will of God in Christ Jesus for me.


So throughout this verse, I am commanded to be always full of joy, to be always praying, and to be always thanking. This is all said to be God's will for me in Jesus Christ. This is said to be what God wants me to be, what God wants for my life.

God wants me to be happy all the time in Jesus Christ, He wants me to be communing and fellowshipping with Him all the time in prayer, He wants me to be thankful all the time no matter what happens to me in Jesus Christ. God's will is not for my life to be downcast, full of sorrow and bitterness, His goal is not to have me live on an island, away from Him, but to have constant fellowship, and an active relationship with Him, His desire and plan are not to crush me with life and with the cares and worries of this world, but really, His desire and plan for me is to walk in constant fellowship, communion, and trust with Him, so that my whole life is a song of praise and worship to Him.

It is utterly amazing to me this morning that the God of the universe not only willed for His Son to die on that wretched tree to take my sins, but willed His Son's righteousness and goodness to be put on to me. This same God, abundant in mercy, cares enough about me to will me to be full of joy, to have a real, meaningful relationship with Him that is personal, and to trust Him because of His care enough to be thankful, knowing that God will do what is absolutely best for me.

The question about rejoicing is this: do I live my life in constant joy or depression? The question about prayer is this: how is my relationship with God? Do I love Him and know Him enough to talk with Him constantly. And finally, the question about thanksgiving is this: Do I believe Rom. 8:28, and trust that God actually has what's best for me in mind? Do I believe that He is out to give me joy and not sorrow?

Oh God, my King and my Savior, I so often live without joy, worrying about this and that, not trusting you, not relying upon you, and thus not having the joy that should flood my soul. Oh great immortal King, I fear that my communion with you in prayer is much to short, help my relationship with you? Help me to have a zeal and hunger for praying, because this is how I can talk with you and share my burdens and cares, knowing that you are a great friend and that you listen. But not only this, but you have the power and will act. Also, forgive me for my great lack of trust in you and that you will work out the details of my life for my good and your glory. Lord, please help me to do all three of these things constantly. Help me to be constant in joy, constant in prayer, and constant in thanksgiving. In Jesus Christ, amen.