Good morning and a blessed Thursday morning to you.

Would you open up your Bibles, please, with me to First Thessalonians, the fifth chapter. First Thessalonians chapter 5 for our time in God's Word today. I'd like to start in verse 16 of the fifth chapter. There the Apostle Paul writes this:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

This is really a trifecta with regard to God's will, isn't it? We are called to rejoice, to pray, and to give thanks. Notice that it says we are to give thanks in all circumstances. It doesn't say for all circumstances, does it? It says in all circumstances.

But let's turn over to Ephesians chapter 5, and we'll pick up in verse 15.

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Notice there it says, "giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything." So does that mean that the "in" in First Thessalonians really means "for"?

It would be quite difficult to give thanks for the tragic death of a loved one. It would be very difficult to give thanks for a terrible diagnosis that is received. It would be very difficult to give thanks when dreams are dashed because of something that has occurred.

So how are we to understand this? In one passage it says "in all circumstances," and in the other passage it says "for everything."

Look again, please, at Ephesians 5, verse 19, and notice that the context here is public worship:

"As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts."

The context of the passage that talks about giving thanks for everything is public worship. The "for everything" there, in the context of public worship, is giving thanks for the greatness of God, the grace of God, and the goodness of God.

As we gather for worship, we give thanks for the cross. Through the cross, Jesus died for us. Through His shed blood, we are forgiven. Through that great sacrificial act, we are redeemed.

As we gather for public worship, we give thanks for the resurrection—that the tomb of our Lord is empty and that the sacrifice for sin has been accepted.

As we gather for public worship, we give thanks for the promises of God and for the sacraments that God gives us.

It is because of God's greatness, grace, and goodness—those things that we lift up in public worship—that we can, in all circumstances, give thanks.

Even in the circumstances we face, sometimes the most terrible of circumstances, we give thanks that He is sovereign, that He is in control, that He knows all about us, and that His love remains constant for us.

So give thanks in all circumstances. Yes. And give thanks for His greatness, His goodness, and His grace.

Let's pray.

Thank You, Lord, for this time in Your Word. Your Word is truth. We praise You, O Lord, that because of Your greatness, grace, and goodness—those things we lift up in public worship—we can give You thanks in all circumstances.

Thank You, Lord.

In Jesus' name, amen.

May the Lord bless you today. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel