FWD: Morning Manna (Nov. 22); BP: I Thess. 5:12-22; RBTTY: James 4; Ez.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:18:11 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Nov. 22); BP: I Thess. 5:12-22; RBTTY: James 4; Ez.
 
November 22                                                                                                              “In Everything??”

 

“In everything give thanks—for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

                                                                                                                                   I Thessalonians 5:18

     It’s impossible to do this in our own strength.

     The Christians in Thessalonica were undergoing severe persecution.  It’s possible that some of them had even been martyred for their faith in light of Paul’s words to them in 4:13-18.  Regardless, this letter—written by the aged Apostle around A.D. 49-50 from Athens—is a touching one, filled with loving reminders and admonitions.  How we need to hear and heed it in our day!

 

     Located on the eastern coast of Greece and boasting a population of around 200,000 back then, Thessalonica was a prosperous seaport city on the main road from Rome to east Asia.  Named after Alexander the Great’s half-sister by her husband, Cassander, it was the home to a thriving Jewish community and is the modern-day city of Salonika.

 

     However, when Paul arrived there on his second missionary journey, he found a large number of “God-fearers”—Gentiles who liked the Jews’ high ethical standards and monotheism—who immediately embraced Jesus as the Messiah.  This enraged the Jews, who began persecuting him, forcing Silas and him to flee to Berea after 2-3 months.  The Jewish antagonists followed him there, causing him then to flee to Athens.

 

     Thus, in that context, we can well imagine that today’s Manna seemed a bit odd for him to write.  And, most likely, it also seemed out-of-touch with reality for those suffering Thessalonian saints—UNTIL they understood the “secret” for doing so.

 

     Even today we find this “anointed admonition” one of those “hard sayings” in Scriptures.  A part of us wants to differ with Paul and say, “Paul, get a grip on it.  Have you ever had your washing machine break down with 10 loads of clothes still waiting... or your car overheat in rush-hour traffic. . .or your child contract cancer at only three-years-old. . .or your spouse leave you a ‘Dear John’ letter on the table while you’re at work?  Come on—get real.  Give thanks in ‘everything’??  Why, it’s impossible!”

 

     “Yes,” replies the Still Small Voice.

     “You can’t do this, even though you know I’ve commanded you to do so, until you’re willing to be ‘crucified with My Son, Jesus’ (Gal. 2:20).  Neither can you do it until you realize I allow such things in your life—not to get you down, but to transform you into the likeness of your Savior.  Because of what He endured during His time there on earth, He understands perfectly what you’re going through—and My grace will be sufficient for you.  Just rest in Me and allow Me to transform you through thanksgiving.”

 

     Oh, dear Pilgrim, thanksgiving is not something we do when we “feel like it.”  It is an act of surrender—yea, of willing obedience—where we lie down on the Potter’s Wheel and say “Thy will be done.”  May the Spirit help us to do that today.

Co