October 2

1 Thessalonians 5:16‑18
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” ―1 Thessalonians 5:16-1816Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16‑18).
WE are told that whoso offereth praise glorifies God (Psa. 50:2323Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23)). One of the marks of the wicked is unthankfulness (2 Tim. 3:22For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:2)). Ingratitude is a sin and reveals the state of a heart estranged from God. In prayer we are invited to come to Him, presenting our petitions, but even as we make our requests known, we are to give thanks for mercies already received (Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)). This is emphasized in the above text, which shows that unceasing prayer and constant thanksgiving should ever be characteristic of the believer. In this, as in all else, our blessed Lord sets us an example. When things were moving on to the darkest hours for Him, He could look up to God, His Father, and say, “I thank Thee” (Matt. 11:2525At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (Matthew 11:25)), as He submitted Himself in prayer to the will of God in all things.
“Why shouldest thou not rejoice, my soul,
Loved as thou art with changeless love?
For Christ hath borne thy sins—the whole—
And, on His Father’s throne above.
Lives everlastingly,
And intercedes for thee.
Well-pleased is He—our gracious God—
With all the work that He hath done,
And spared not He to lay the rod
Upon His well-beloved Son!
And all that agony
For thee it was—for thee!
What is there then to make thee sad
Except thy sin that caused His grief?
How much there is to make thee glad!
Within thine earthly span so brief.
How canst thou ever sound
The fullness in Him found?
‘Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice’
In Him, thy living, loving Lord;
His joy be thine, His will thy choice,
Himself thy Shield, thy great Reward.
That One thine eyes shall see
Who soon will come for thee!”