Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  We see we are given three things here that we should never stop doing.  Never stop rejoicing.  Never stop praying.  Never stop giving thanks.  All three of these are proper and healthy for the believer to do.

REJOICE EVERMORE – We should constantly rejoice (have joy, be happy) for the free gift of salvation, our privileges as children of God, Christ and His unending and immeasurable love, and our hope of glory. What blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ…too many to name.  Oh, and to think of God’s grace that is sufficient to support us under all our sufferings. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING – What a privilege we have that we can speak to the Lord at any time from anywhere.  In constant prayer, we will maintain that constant rejoicing.  In our prayers, we praise, we worship, we commit our needs, we show our dependence, we honor the One whom we offer our prayers to.  Colossians 4:2 tells us to, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” 

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS – We are also instructed in Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  When we realize we are totally in the hands of our loving savior, we can thank Him for all He allows to happen in our lives.  What a blessed truth is given to us in Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  In every circumstance…in joy and in sorrow…FOR EVERYTHING…for prosperity and for hardship, in times of health and sickness, we should not only be engaged in constant prayer, but in constant thanksgiving.  Indeed, our prayers should always include the nature of thanksgiving.

Believers, above all others, should have thankful hearts for we are guided by and guarded by “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).  We are the children of “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus.” (1 Peter 5:10).  Fellow believer, we have so much to be thankful for, knowing our Lord is working to meet our every need, to strengthen us for every work, to encourage us in every situation.  There is never a situation where we cannot find good reason to thank the Lord.  “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).  (CC)  (697.4)