Seeing the Sovereign Hand of God in Everything
God’s will for His chosen people in Christ demands that Christians live lifestyles pleasing to God. We do that by trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, that is, we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Prv 3:5–6; Gal 2:20). Simply put, godly living is holy living.
Sanctification by the Spirit of God prepares us for the day when we are presented holy and blameless before God (Eph 1:4; 5:23; Col 1:22; 1 Pet 1:2; Jude 24–25). The blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s second coming includes the anticipation of believers being resurrected to life. On that day, the dead in Christ will be raised with glorified bodies and souls (Jn 5:29–29; Rom 8:30). That is the saints’ “happily ever after.”
While the children of God remain in this dark world of sin, in this perverse generation, they suffer in diverse ways and to varying degrees. Glory seems to be in a distant land, light years away. We have the Bible, God’s Word, to guide us on the narrow way of righteousness. Even the instructions can be daunting: “rejoice always”; “pray without ceasing”; and “give thanks in everything.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 adds instruction and exhortation to both elder/pastors and congregants. Paul is promoting a lifestyle of peace in the Christian community, which originates from the God of peace (1 Thess 5:23). Christians are to pursue peace with all people, but especially the household of faith (Ps 34:14; Rom 14:19; Heb 12:14).
This triad of imperatives will contribute to peace in the community of believers. Let us consider how each one will help us to see the providential hand of God in all things.
First, there is the task of rejoicing. Christians celebrate Christ’s victory over sin, death, the devil, and the world system. There is great joy among men and angels when one sinner repents (Lk 15:7, 10). This is because that sinner has been transferred to a new kingdom (Col 1:13). The kingdom of God in the world manifest with peace, joy, and righteousness wherever the Holy Spirit is reigning as Lord (Rom 14:17). This, of course, is in the heart of the born again, who experience the indwelling Spirit producing joy as a fruit of His work in the Christian (Gal 5:22).
Christians who live in the Spirit and who walk by the Spirit have joy, even in the midst of trial and tribulation (Gal 5:16, 25; Jas 1:2). In fact, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10). Just as Jesus went to Calvary’s cross for the joy set before Him (Heb 12:2), so the Christian always rejoices because of what he knows of God’s will for him. This contrasts with Greco-Roman philosophers, who were void of joy because they had no hope, being separated from God and Christ (Jn 15:5; Eph 2:12). Thus, the Spirit-filled life is joyful, for in His presence is abundance of joy (Ps 16:11).
Second, it is a lifestyle of prayer. People claim that prayer changes things. This is a fallacy, however. Whereas, joy was a Christian virtue, prayer was common to all religious people in the first century A.D.
Christian prayer is addressed to God…our Father. It is lifted to heaven in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. It is uniquely Christian in that it is said “in Jesus’ name.” The exhortation is for us to pray without ceasing. Far from meaning a 24-hour — 7 day a week — 365 days a year…every year exercise, we understand the meaning of the text to be that Christians are people of prayer as a lifestyle. We have permanent and immediate access to the throne of God.
“People of prayer” may be taken as one who has a Mediator between him and God (1 Tim 2:5). Both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are identified as intercessors (Rom 8:26–27; Heb 7:25). An intercessor is someone who prays on behalf of another. Again, God the Father is the audience. The Holy Spirit works on behalf of God’s elect redeemed people even when we are at a loss for words.
We approach God’s throne of grace anytime we are in need. There we find mercy and grace sufficient for us (Heb 4:16). We ask for what we need by means of prayer. In other words, we make our supplications known to God. He hears. He listens. He answers in the time and in the way He chooses.
It is simply an error to have such access and not use it. We have not because we ask (pray) not (Jas 4:2). In contrast, when we see the providential hand of our sovereign God move to bless us, we need to give thanks with a grateful heart to the Holy One. This is the last of the three exhortations Paul gave to the Thessalonians to help bring peace to the community.
Giving thanks to God is the right response to His mercy and grace in time of need. Paul insists that thanks should be our response in every situation because he knows God is always working in every situation in our lives. In fact, God causes all things to work together for good for His beloved saints who love Him (Rom 8:28). Thanksgiving can be difficult when God decrees that which will discipline the ones He loves (Heb 12:5–11).
In summary, the Apostle Paul has exhorted the church of the Thessalonians to respect their elders (1 Thess 5:12–13). He has exhorted the congregation to perform virtuous tasks as a means to peace for the church membership (1 Thess 5:14–15). In this article, I have briefly reflected on the three virtuous imperatives to approach God. Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks to God are all His grace to us.
Grace is abounding for those who have these three virtues operational in their daily spiritual disciplines. God is faithful to perform what He requires of His people. In fact, He is able to do above and beyond all we can think or imagine. He is glorified when His people are rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks by His grace upon grace toward them.
May God give you joy in such a way that compels you to pray; and as part of that prayer…to give thanks for His sovereign plan to bless His beloved with peace in our local church families.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 12, 2023
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
