Giving thanks always for all things unto God…

Commentary by — John W. Ritenbaugh

 Ephesians 5:20

(20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  Philippians 4:3-4

(3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. (4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
King James Version

For some, this is difficult, and indeed, we all often stumble over it. We can be very gracious to God when things go well. Perhaps, after returning safely from a trip, we are quick to thank God for our successful arrival, as if He were personally responsible for the operations of all who worked to get us home. Suppose, however, that the trip was not so successful. Maybe we were involved in an accident and injured or delayed so that we were late for a meeting, costing a large sale or the loss of a client? Or maybe lightning struck the house, an earthquake damaged it, or a burglar broke in and stole valuables?

Do we see God’s hand in these circumstances as well? Is God involved only in the “good” things of life? For example, did Job bemoan his “bad luck” or murmur against God? He bowed before Him, even managing to bless Him (Job 1:13-22)! Is this just fatalistic acquiescence or blind credulity? No, in people who live by faith, it is neither of these because real faith always rejoices in the Lord, knowing He is involved in all aspects of life.

Paul’s exhortation to the Philippian church (Philippians 4:4) is nothing short of a call to faith of those undergoing some sort of heavy trial. If a Christian believes that his life and all its circumstances are in the hands of the sovereign, wise, and loving God who is always working for his good, then he can truly rejoice always.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part Ten

Related Topics:
Calamity
God’s Sovereignty
Murmuring
Rejoice
Rejoicing in Trials
Trials