THANKFUL FOR GRACE

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (Philippians 1:2-7 ESV)

            When Thanksgiving Day is celebrated people often think of tangible things – food, home, career, family, friends, and health. Thanksgiving goes beyond circumstances and situations.

            The theme of Philippians is “rejoice.” Five verses contain the word “joy” – “prayer with joy” (1:4), “joy in the faith” (1:25); “joy complete” (2:2); “great joy” (2:29); “my joy and crown” (4:1). Where was the Apostle Paul located when he wrote this letter? In what surroundings was he feeling joy?

            “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV)

            Paul was expressing joy in a prison cell. This is only possible from a thankfulness resident in the inner sanctum of the soul, a thanksgiving of grace.

Grace is better than tangible blessings

            As a way of life, Paul had little reason to be grateful. He appears to be an unhealthy man, possibly why the physician Luke often traveled with him. Hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, sleeplessness (having tendencies to worry?), hunger, and slander was causing a physical toll. (2 Corinthians 6:4-10) Yet he writes, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (V.10)

            Paul thanked God for a grace equal to his difficulties. Every “thorn in the flesh” was equally matched with God’s grace. He refers to grace by writing, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

            When feeling problems are too great, God matches the problem with greater grace. When the soul cries out in pain, He balances the scales with grace.

            My brother died in 1993 at the age of 47, the day before Thanksgiving. Anyone losing a sibling in the prime of life knows the mind-boggling pain. By grace his death took on a different perspective. Instead of dwelling on the loss, I became grateful to God for having had a brother, and for sharing life together for 44 years.

            The best gift God gives is not gold but grace. The best promise God guarantees is not trouble-free living but an overcoming life.

Society has a few misplaced emphases

            There is a misplaced emphasis on happiness. Happiness is restricted to what happens. God’s concern for you goes beyond what is happening. Circumstances constantly change and are unpredictable, but God keeps life constant by His grace. Fully seek Him in preparation for eternity.

            There is a misplaced emphasis on possessions. Possessions do not make you but you make them. The Biblical character Job was stripped of all his belongings yet got back more. He made his possessions, they did not make him.

            I once read a story about a millionaire putting his wealth aside and attempting to become rich again. He left his estate with only the clothes on his back and ten dollars in his pocket. Finding a job as an auto mechanic, he slept in the back of the garage. Being older and having diminished physical strength, he invented an easier way to change a tire and sold his invention to a manufacturer for a large sum of money. What defines you is not the things you own but the person you are.

            There is a misplaced emphasis of life without tribulation. As we enter the Christmas season, there is no “Peace on Earth” until Jesus comes again. Even though laws attempt to hem in evil and contain wickedness, waywardness is a heart issue and only rooted-out by God. Society should always attempt to stop violence yet peace will only occur in the 1000-year reign of Christ. Until He comes and brings peace on earth, live by grace!

Greater grace comes through greater obstacles.

            Second Corinthians 12:9 states, “…power is made perfect in weakness.” The greatest cause for thanksgiving is the promise, “My grace is sufficient for you….” God showers His tender-mercies on those calling to Him, rejoicing in Him and depending on Him.

            In November of 1621, a full year after the arrival of the first pilgrims, a ship from home brought thirty-five more colonists. These newcomers did not bring one bit of equipment with them – no food, clothing, tools, bedding. The whole colony went on half-rations throughout the winter.

            A historian wrote, “Thus, they did enter … [a] starving time that winter of 1621-22 and were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn a piece.” He went on to write, “They had no choice: Either give in to bitterness and despair, or go deeper into Christ. They chose Christ. Not one of them died of starvation.”

            You have a choice, either thankful for grace or brought low by circumstances.

Application

            Many have read or heard the story of Daniel in a lion’s den. He refused to compromise his loyalty to God and was sentenced to die by hungry lions. His friend, the king, worried about him the whole night. The next morning he hurriedly went to the den to discover his fate. Daniel was still alive by divine intervention. To demonstrate the lion’s unusual behavior, the accusers were cast into the same den and immediately devoured.

            Having lions struck dead and escaping a dark den in answer to your cry is great – it is greater going in among roaring beasts and coming out unharmed. Grace allows you to go into the worst of trouble and come out unscathed.

            On Thanksgiving Day express thanks for His grace.