The Lord’s Loving Response to Grief

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

“IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

We are to give thanks in everything. Why? According to Paul, “This is the will of God for you.” Paul also tells us, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Finally, we hear this from Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice…. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4, 6–7).

Paul's life gives evidence to this matter of thanking God in all things. As he was taken to Rome as a prisoner he endured a frightening voyage. The boat was caught in a hurricane and shipwrecked. Paul had to swim ashore where he was bitten by a poisonous snake. Once the ship was repaired, Paul and the crew spent months tossed at sea.

When Paul arrived at his destination, we are told the following: “When the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us…whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage” (Acts 28:15). Do you see the first thing Paul did? He didn't begin with a tale of woe — the horrible nights of terror, the days when all hope was gone, the cold and the hurricanes, the endless trials. Rather, Paul gave thanks and took courage. He demonstrates powerfully, “In all things, give thanks.”

Do you see the lesson here? We are more prone to recount and tell our woes than to give thanks for God bringing us through them all. You see, there is a time to weep. There are days we spend in sorrow; times of pain, affliction and bereavement; times when we are downcast, plagued by anxiety; times when we wonder why all the suffering.

We have all shared those times. BUT NOW, IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS, GOOD AND BAD. “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:2–3).

A minister friend of mine pastors an on-fire church. At a recent service he asked all who were unemployed to come forward for prayer. So many people streamed to the front that he was too shocked to pray. An assistant had to step in. Yet those same people were singing and worshiping with joy, still thankful. In the midst of their sorrow, they gave the Lord a joyful sound of praise.

The same is true here at Times Square Church. Many in our congregation have lost their jobs. Some are in danger of losing their homes or apartments. Yet still you hear from them a joyful sound of praise.

Perhaps you are not going through hard times right now. You may not relate to any talk of pain or afflictions. If so, thank God for his manifold blessings. Of all people, you should be thanking God all day long!

I believe we have to work at remembering to give thanks. It is something we have to learn. The Holy Spirit will not do this for us; we have to stop ourselves in the midst of complaining and say, “No!” It may take a week or more of saying to your spirit, “Stop your murmuring. And start thanking God.” It is always time to give him thanks.

Thank you for remembering our missions to the poor, fatherless, widows and orphans around the world. For information on these many outreaches, visit our website: worldchallenge.org/missions.

God bless you.

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

DW:bbm 12.31.69