Our Scripture reading today is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
One of the many keys to the victorious Christian life is found in this one verse from the Word of God. We also discover a portion of the revealed will of God. It is God's will that we give Him thanks in every situation of life. Over the course of each 24-hour period of time there are numerous unplanned (by us) events that occur in our lives. At each of these events, we are to give God thanks. God is Sovereign (over all) and omniscient (all knowing). We possess neither of these attributes. This means we can trust Him with what He allows to come into our path. Not only can we trust Him, we should be thankful for what we perceive to be bad and good. God will enable us to fulfill His will even in the most challenging of times.
“When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude.” (Spurgeon)