GIVING THANKS ALWAYS

by David Wilkerson

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

This matter of giving thanks always was so important in Paul’s theology, he
repeats it three times. (1) “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs,” (2) “Singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord,” and (3) “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 19-20).

Without faith we cannot do this as we ought. We are pressed down by so many
problems and distresses. Of course God does not want us to fake it. It seems to
me Paul has given us the key to it all when he tells us, “…do it unto the
Father.” That great preacher John Calvin said that such singing and giving
thanks always is all feigning and hypocrisy unless we are fully persuaded that
God is our Father.

Our mouths quiver sometimes with grief so that we cannot sing; we do not feel
like giving thanks. Dire circumstances shatter our spirits. There are times the
heart cries, “Lord, do you really expect me to sing and make melody when I
hurt so badly?” “Lord, I am so burdened down with cares, I can barely lift
my head.” “Lord, I find it hard to praise and speak hymns in my heart.
There is too much fear, grief and doubt.”

Yes, it is not easy to respond to this important truth. God is not severe with
us when we hurt. We are his children. But these words are given us to find
solace and relief in such times. We become so focused on our difficulties that
we lose more than our song—we drift further and further away from God’s
eternal promises. In spite of all we face, our Lord says, “GIVE THANKS
ALWAYS.”

We become ungrateful for all he has done in the past. We get swallowed up in
praying only for ourselves, our needs, our families—we cannot lift up our
eyes to other’s suffering—suffering more than us.

I am truly convicted by this word from Paul. I want to face tomorrow determined
to sing to my Lord and give thanks for an entire day—for all things—in all
things. It may be an inaudible song; it may be weak at first; but there must be
a power in doing it, by faith, or it would not have been repeated three times.

Oh that ten thousand reading this message would endeavor to sing along with
me—what a joy it would bring to Father’s heart. Then, to follow it up by
resting in the truth that God has heard your cry, he is working out the
solution even now and every day—so go on giving thanks always and never stop
singing love songs to our precious Lord and Savior.