1 Thessalonians 5:18 — in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This might be one of the most mysterious instructions Paul ever gave. Give thanks in everything? Your husband of fifty years has been diagnosed with cancer — give thanks? Your little baby has died in her sleep — give thanks? Your job has gone — give thanks? Your house has been destroyed in a devastating storm — give thanks?

A simple interpretation would be that God makes all things work together for the good of those that love Him, and knowing that we can give thanks in everything … but to me that seems to be away of avoiding the issue.

Another view is that the saved Christian, in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit, must be so full of joy at the knowledge of salvation and the grace of God that constant thanksgiving — not because of every thing, but in every thing — should be the natural state. That is surely true, but there is more to it I think.

The heart of the matter is in the context. It’s not just “in every thing give thanks”. The verses immediately before are, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).

I believe that rejoicing evermore, and giving thanks in every thing, are a result of the unceasing prayer. Prayer is the ultimate expression of “practicing the presence of God”. Prayer is how we share our heart with God and how we feel the pulsing heartbeat of His love for us. Prayer is the response of God in us to God around us. 

This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. What a beautiful conclusion! God wishes us to have this life of everlasting joy and total thankfulness based on our ceaseless prayer. More … this will is not a mere permission. It is an expectation, a command if you like. 

The expectation is impossible of course. In every circumstance do not merely be thankful — but give thanks. Pray without ceasing, rejoice evermore, and let the result be the expression of thanks in any and all of the circumstances of life.

But the will is more than permission, and it’s more than expectation. It is an invitation. Remember — thankfulness in every thing flows from the joining with God that is ceaseless prayer. God’s will for us in Christ Jesus is that we should be part of their relationship. 

I have come to believe that rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing and giving thanks in every thing are expressions of the relationship shared by the Trinity, and this passage is our invitation to be part of it … In every thing.