5 May 2015 - in the midst of trial

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.

Teach us to be thankful to you, Jesus. Help us to give thanks for everything that you do for us. But especially, help us to "discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might." The way we give thanks reflects what we value. Help us to value the glory of your kingdom above all. Make us like Paul and his companions:

And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Why are we reluctant, Jesus? Why are our hearts slow to be thankful? Is it because we encounter hardships? Are our hearts divided? Do they give thanks for blessings and yet begrudge you our trials? People can see this in us even when we don't speak a word. We can't make a good case for you Church when our hearts are like this. Yet we are like this even though we face much less than Paul.

They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.

But the disciples gather around him and strengthen him with their prayers. He rises and enters the city and proclaims the good news. Paul strengthens the spirits of the disciples right after this trial. It isn't just that he is praising you in spite of his trial. He is praising you because you give victory in the midst of trials. He knows "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God." If he was relying on the peace of the world than these trials would always detract from his ability to give thanks. But he has the peace which you alone, Jesus, can give.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

This is peace which the world does not give and which the world cannot take away. It is peace which enables us to give thanks, not in spite of our trials, not because of our trials, but because of your presence in our trials, because of your deliverance, because of your victory. And thanksgiving like this is a good recipe for peace. It eases our anxiety because, after all, what can the world do to us? Just as the ruler of the world has no power over you even as you hang from the cross, so too are we delivered from his power. Just as your trust reveals your love for the Father so too does the trust and peace you give us reveal you to the world. And so you say, "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Our hearts hear and they obey.

Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.