December 5, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22reject every kind of evil.
Questions for Reflection:
The three short commands in verses 16-18 are some of the shortest verses in the Bible and yet they carry within them incredible power. Because of the brevity, we are tempted to race past them without embracing the challenge they present. What is the first command Paul gives to the church? Our culture celebrates happiness, yet Paul tells us to pursue joy. What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Paul’s second command is to pray continually. Do you think that Paul means to literally stop every moment and say prayers aloud? His instruction is not so much about how you pray, but rather about developing a mindset of prayer.
For me, one of the most difficult commands in Scripture is found in verse 18. Giving thanks is part of God’s will for our lives. How we praise God, even in the midst of the difficult seasons of our lives, can be a powerful witness. Dr. Clay Jones, a professor of apologetics at Biola University, expounds on the impact of praising God in the difficult times.
Spend time today in worship. Praise God for who He is. Praise Him for His faithfulness. Think through the characteristics of God and worship God even in the midst of whatever challenges you face today.