The principal of giving thanks in everything is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. In fact, it is addressed in what is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible—the Book of Job. Although the book does not name its author, Ezekiel 14: 14, 21 and James 5: 11 refer to Job as a historical person. We are all familiar with the trials of Job who the Bible says was perfect and upright and one that had reverential trust in God and shunned evil. The account focuses on the mystery of God’s permissive will that allows Satan to wield assaults upon those who believe in and trust in God. We will look at a pattern that occurred in this ancient book that is repeated throughout scripture—a command to give thanks in all things as God allows circumstances and trials to touch the lives of His children. Like with Job and other biblical saints there are lessons to be learned to help us truly be thankful even in the midst of difficult and uncertain circumstances.
Let’s begin by examining some passages from the Book of Job to help us get a perspective on God’s instruction regarding thankfulness. Let us first look at the background of the Book. Job had seven sons and three daughters, large live-stock holdings and was known as the greatest of all the men of the east. We learn that his sons and daughters enjoyed feasting and drinking together which troubled Job as he offered sin offerings for them continually. Then enters the Adversary of God and His children who is identified as Satan as he presented himself before the LORD and requested to be able to test Job’s integrity and trust in God. God said to Satan: “Behold he is in thine hand; but save his life.” God makes it clear that nothing touches the life of His children unless it is filtered through His hands and permitted to be used for our good and His glory. (Romans 8: 28) Satan’s objective was to get Job to doubt God and lose faith in Him. Satan’s first assault was the destruction of his wealth and his family. Job passed the first test and said: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed by the name of the LORD. In this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Satan’s second assault was upon Job’s health—physically and mentally as he was covered with boils and a nagging wife who said: “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Then began the assault of his so-called friends who judged him wrongly and questioned his integrity. Their counsel led him into depression and he said: “My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thought of my heart. They change the night into day; the light is short because of darkness…And where is now my hope?”
Job rehearses his circumstances and regains his faith and declares: “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” We read in Job 40-42 that Satan was not victorious over him and did not cause him to lose faith in God despite his afflictions and loss. He had a dialogue with God that resulted in complete surrender and admission of his worthlessness. Job began to declare victory over Satan: “He that made him can make his sword to approach unto him…Behold, the hope of him is in vain…His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.” Job acknowledges God’s sovereignty and humbles himself before Him. He said, “I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore, have I uttered that I understood not; things to wonderful for me, which I knew not…I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job passed the test and received renewed blessing and prosperity from the LORD! “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job’s more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.” (Job 42: 12-13)
The central problem of the Book of Job is the sufferings of the LORD’s people that explains in part its divinely beneficial purposes. 1. Job’s experiences opened his eyes more fully to the holiness of God leading him to self-knowledge and self-judgment. 2. The sufferings of Job are shown to be corrective rather than penal, being used of God to test and refine his character. 3. The outcome demonstrates that by God’s grace His people trust and serve Him because of what He is, not as a mere return for temporal benefits. 4. Such experiences reveal the ultimate triumph of a wise and loving God in His unseen contest with Satan over the souls of men. 5. Finally, it must be confessed that beyond the revealed purposes of God there still remains much of a mystery. And for this there is no answer except the attitude of worship and praise in which we humbly acknowledge that a sovereign God cannot be required by men to give all the reasons for what He chooses to do. Paul confirms this in Romans 11: 33-36: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
James gives us further insight into the purpose of testing in Chapter 1 of his epistle. He says to count it all joy when we fall into various trials and tests knowing that it is allowed to produce patience and faith. He confirms that evil is not from God but is allowed to test and mature us so that we can receive a crown of life at the judgment seat of Christ in heaven. James affirms the reward of rejoicing in testing in Chapter 5 and connects it back to Job and with the early and latter rain of Joel 2: 23 and the coming of the Lord. He says, “Be ye patient, establish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (v. 8) “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.”
As I reviewed the events and details of Job’s life, God began to reveal parallels and truths relating to us today. In the beginning of the Book, Job and his family were basking in God’s blessings in their comfort zone—eating, drinking and making merry! God allowed Satan to bring destruction and upheaval. It was indeed a test to reveal if Job’s love and devotion to God came from the blessings that he received or from a genuine love and devotion to Him no matter what! Job’s life was turned upside down so that he sought God’s face—a personal relationship with Him and not the blessings He bestowed! Therefore, everything was removed from him except God. He had to see that it is only God and God alone that is our Source and strength. In the end, all will be removed but God as only God is eternal. Think about how this relates to the Church and our nation today. We have been beneficiaries of great blessings and freedoms and, like Job’s family, have lived the good life so to speak and have been very much influenced by the world. Jesus warned the church at Ephesus that they had left their first love—having lost their zeal for God. Is this what has happened to the Church and this nation?
Let’s go back over 400 years to the time that the Pilgrims came to America. They journeyed to a foreign land with a passion to have the freedom to worship God. They were willing to leave everything behind in order to serve God and bring glory to His name. God was their focus on that 1st Thanksgiving as He had released them from tyranny so they could freely worship and serve Him! The turkey and other foods and the fellowship with family was secondary—it was all about giving thanks to God! In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This verse is a central theme in Christian living, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else. This is what the Pilgrims did and this is what we as a Church and a nation must do if we are to again be recipients of God’s blessings! America will never be great again until we return to God in worship in Spirit and Truth! We must return to the founding faith of this nation led by Christians dedicated to seeking His face—His kingdom and His righteousness.
Could it be that we as the Church and as a nation are experiencing the destruction of our freedoms and blessings because like Job’s family have focused on material possessions driven by the god of this world rather than on God and His kingdom and righteousness? Remember, God allowed Satan to inflict great pain and suffering upon Job and his family as a test. BUT GOD used what Satan meant for evil for good as Job refused to allow despair and depression to overcome him and fixed His eyes on God in full and total surrender to Him. That is what we as Christians must do—to seek God’s reign and dominion in our lives, recognizing Him as the Supreme Authority. We must pursue a life of moral purity, integrity, and conformity to God’s standards set forth in His Word—not the standards of the god of this world and his evil cabal. Through it all Job learned to focus on God’s kingdom and His righteousness and He restored great blessings upon him—more than in the beginning! We as a Church and as a nation must seek God and His righteousness and align with His standards and He will provide for our physical, spiritual and emotional needs as our loving Father! Then and only then can God make America great again!
If we want to experience the outpouring of God’s blessings and grace like Job we must seek Him with all our body, soul and spirit and recognize that God is all we need! It is a call to reorient our life around God’s priorities, trusting that He will provide for our needs as we focus on His kingdom and His righteousness. Paul instructs believers in I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 to “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Giving thanks in everything is not always easy, but we must adopt a correct perspective and maintain a deepening relationship with God. 1. We must recognize God’s sovereignty and goodness, even in difficult times. 2. We must trust God’s promises and providence. 3. We must focus on the blessings and mercies received, rather than dwelling on past or future troubles. 4. We must pray without ceasing and rejoice always knowing that God is real, God has a plan, God is in control and God loves us!
This is God’s pattern for restoration and return to blessings:
Prayer: Regularly seek God’s guidance and wisdom, asking Him to help you prioritize His kingdom and righteousness. Scripture study: Meditate on God’s Word, seeking to understand and apply His teachings on righteousness and kingdom living. Worship: Express your devotion to God through worship, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking to align our life with His will. Discernment: Develop a discerning heart, recognizing the difference between earthly priorities and God’s kingdom priorities, and making choices accordingly. Practice: Thanksgiving all year through in small, everyday moments, such as expressing gratitude for “every good gift and every perfect gift from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1: 17) Focus: The Bible encourages believers to focus on eternal things—to thank God for earthly blessings, but ultimately to always give thanks to God for His eternal gifts and promises. What should be the Christian’s ultimate source of joy? It is the joy of the Lord Jesus who is with us, in us and will never leave us! Let us be thankful for: Jesus’ everlasting words: John 17:3; God’s unchanging nature: Psalm 102:27; Salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15: 57; Our eternal home in Heaven: Hebrews 12: 28.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” Ps. 107:1