Praising, Being Thankful in the Storm

Praising, Being Thankful in the Storm

by David Brenneman 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NASB "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit,"

We talked about this passage yesterday morning at our small group.  It, at least for me, connected well with 1 Thessalonians 4:3a NASB "For this is the will of God, your sanctification".

People today often discuss the wanting of knowing what God's Will is for them. More or less the Spirit says to all wanting to know, "Hey, we already covered that in your Bible.  It's probably a good idea to go back and review."  When we don't listen, it's because of either willful ignorance or we never learned anything the last time.  We aren't here as Believers to necessarily be living this life for our own sake or our own interests. God's Will starts in the Great Commission from Jesus Himself as found in the Gospels. 

Look at the lyrics of that song "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns 

"I was sure by now

God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again
I say, "A-men" and it's still rainin'

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
(I lift my eyes unto the hills)
(Where does my help come from?)

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

And though my heart is torn
(Though my heart is torn)
I'll praise You in this storm
(Praise You in this storm)"

We must choose to be thankful just as much as we choose to ask God for this or that in whatever is happening in our lives. 

Late last year I was driving between what's now our hometown and our old house.  One such trip was the most harrowing driving experiences of my life.  For certain it was an exercise in faith and trust in God's direction.  I couldn't leave the highway even if I wanted to. All I could do was constantly pray and seek out the lines on the road. I was immensely grateful and thankful for God's grace and provision that day.  

The interesting thing to note in that 1 Thessalonians 5 passage, is that no suggestion is given to be thankful.  It's a command.  Someone else in the group reminded us of "ACTS" which stands for Adoration Confession Thankfulness Supplication. 

Still another brought up the truth that most of our prayers, if we are honest, are jumping to the end of that.  Skipping over all the other aspects of prayer. 

When was the last time you spoke to God in adoration?

When was the last time you spoke to Him about confession of sin? 

When was the last time you mentioned being thankful?

James 5:18 NASB "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much."

I am indeed thankful for His getting me through that storm.  David was thankful to God for facing the lion and the bear.  He was thankful. Because of facing the hardest times in his life, and being thankful it built up his confidence in his relationship with God.  When he lapsed look at what happened in his life.

Daniel was thankful and it showed in his life. He prayed daily. Look at how he prayed.  He did so with all earnestness. He did so with all his heart.  See what he was referred to as? Beloved. 

Paul taught thankfulness.  See a theme here.  He was reminding the Thessalonians of many things that were truly important. 

So let's look at the rest of what goes with verse 18.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19a NASB 

When we neglect to do the other parts we will quench the Spirit.  It's interesting how popular songs of the Christian faith are about asking God to start a fire in them. To quench is essentially to pour water on.  To de-energize. Deflate. 

If our prayers don't include an attitude of gratitude then what is included?

Someone also pointed out something that was a "whoa" moment for me.  I have read and know the story of the fall of Satan.  He mentioned today of the rank of Satan before he fell.  He beheld the glory of God and still did what he did.  He was right there with Jesus and yet selfish pride consumed him. 

We can't afford to just think of God as AAA.  He isn't there to be our roadside assistance when life breaks down.  He's not to just be a "good friend".  He's not "the man upstairs".  He is not going to look the other way concerning sin in the lives of unbelievers.  We who are in Christ Jesus have much to be thankful for, much to be grateful for.  Our sins were wiped away.  We have the very promises of God.  

Praising God in the midst of troubles sets us apart in a world that leans towards negativity.  It forces some to give pause and want to know why we are the way we are.  Scripture tells us to live in such a way that causes people to see and know we are different for a reason. 

Look at your prayer life.  If you are the type to write a list of requests, do you likewise have lists for Adoration, for Confession for Thanksgiving?  You don't need to make those lists public or even placed where someone might find them should you be called home by God.  But it IS something to think about in terms of scope. We all have lists concerning asking God for this or that but forget about the real meat and potatoes of prayer.  Praise must be part of it even if it hurts. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they weren't sitting on the floor in chains.  They were chained TO THE WALL. Off the floor.  Yet still rang out praise songs to God.  What was the result? Read it for yourself.

I was so moved by the discussion yesterday morning that this post began yesterday. It's just now being finished. 

I tried to write what I remembered and God took it from there.  Seriously, you and I, if indeed you are part of the body of Christ, have to "bring in the wood" if you want to have "that kind of fire".  Read in Nehemiah, even the Levites had dedicated people to bring in wood to keep the fires going in the Temple that had been rebuilt. 

We aren't coming to Christ to wait out life until we die or His return.  Parts of Jesus's body have things that are to be done and should be done. His calling is above family and above friends. It's certainly about our own self interests in this life.  Jesus said as much in Matthew 10:37-39 NASB "The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it."

Find your reasons to praise Him in the Storm. Find your reasons to confess your sins. Find your reasons to be thankful.