As I was reading the title of this House to House article on giving thanks by brother Bob Prichard, I focused on the key word, "Must."Do we have to give thanks if we are in difficult circumstances? My answer is, let's give thanks, especially in difficult circumstances. Why? Because God will bring about a blessing, not only for ourselves, but others if we do.
Brother Prichard uses the illustration of Paul and Silas praying and singing praises to God while in an "inner prison" (Acts 16:22-25):
"As Paul and Silas sat in the depths of the jail at Philippi, their feet in the stocks, having been beaten for their testimony of Christ, they prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25). They would not allow the circumstances to keep them from offering praise to God. In the midst of so many things we cannot understand or do not like, we must thank Him for those things we can understand, and the blessings He so richly gives us."
Note that through God's providential care and intervention, both the prisoners and the keeper of the prison were blessed by Paul and Silas' praying to God that His will be done, even as they found themselves in dire circumstances (cf. Luke 22:40-42). Thankfully, the entire set of circumstances brought about salvation, not only to the keeper of the prison, but to his household as well (Acts 16:27-34).
In his closing remarks, brother Prichard provides us with the degree to which we should be thankful towards God: "Looking back, we should thank Him. Looking ahead, we should trust Him. Looking around, we should serve Him. He is worthy of all the praise and thanksgiving we can give Him."
To which I say, "Amen and Amen!"
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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