In verses
16-18, Paul shows us believers, several positive steps to take in our spiritual
exercises which he said were God’s will for us.
Verse 16 is a call to rejoice
always. This is a similar call to the one that he gave to the believers in Philippi . “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Here he was also telling the Thessalonians to do
the same. We all know how difficult it is to rejoice when we are encountering
difficulties. We will rejoice in all situations and circumstances if we only
knew the secret of a rejoicing life. The secret rests in learning to see the
purpose of God in every circumstance. Why? It’s because rejoicing is a learned
response. It is a choice that one has to make regardless of the circumstance
one is encountering. It is learning to see the hand of God behind the pain, and
the purpose of God beyond the pain. So remember to rejoice in whatever
circumstance we may be facing!
Then
in verse 17, believers are called to pray without ceasing. Does it mean that we
must pray non-stop and without any interruption? No! To pray without ceasing is
to remain in an attitude of dependence upon the Lord in the daily grind of
life. It is maintaining an attitude of reverential fear for the Lord always. It
is learning to pause ever so often in between assignments, and pray to Him
giving thanks.
Believers
are also called to give thanks to God in everything in verse 18. Notice that
both rejoicing and praying have to do with time – “always” and “unceasingly.”
But giving thanks has to do with circumstance. In other words, Paul is saying
that in whatever circumstance one may be in, the right and appropriate attitude
to have, is a thankful attitude.
Like
it or not, Paul wanted the Thessalonians, and us as well, to know that it is
God’s will that believers should rejoice, pray at all times and give thanks in
all circumstances. So daily, let’s rejoice, pray and give thanks!
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