Good morning!

Greetings in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The above Bible verses were given by my grandfather, who was a truly faithful servant to God.  Right after he returned to God, his friends came to me, and told about his faithful life before God including enormous generosity to fellow Christians and his total dedication of his life to God.    I still remember.   After the first day of my elementary school, on the way home, I visited my grandfather because I was told he wanted to see me.   As I was stepping in his office door, my grandfather called my name, and asked to come near him.   He hugged me, and he said he prepared one special present for me because it was the special day for me and him.   Then he pulled out one small leather bound Bible from his desk drawer.  He opened up the small and attractive Bible, and was flipping through the Bible to get to the 1st book of Thessalonians.  Then he showed me Bible verses that was already red-lined, which were the above Thessalonians 5:16-18.   While making me the cute Bible with my small hand, he told me “I give you these verses to you as our life verses.”  Since then, I cannot count how many times I recited the verses, while thinking about my faithful grandfather.   
I liked the verses, but whenever I read the verse, initially, I felt that it was practically impossible verses.  Rejoicing always(with being sad all the time)?   Praying continually (or without ceasing as written in some Bible translations)?   Then, giving thanks in all circumstances?  Not just under a good circumstance, but during time of difficulty, sadness, and even disaster.   I was too young to eyewitness my grandfather how he was actively served God while encouraging and leading others to God.   His close friends told me that he was generous and thankful to God even under a situation that most of people would not give thanks to God.   Most of all, he was a man of prayer.  He must be much different from many Christians around him.  In my own memory, he was a quite person who seldom talked about himself and what he was doing.  However, one thing that I still remember.  One day, I stopped by his office to see him after school, he hugged me and told me “you are the top on my prayer list along with the church that I serve.”   He continued how earnestly and humbly prayed for me to God.  What he told me had gone deep into my heart.   My grandfahter’s prayer, I recall, was a real encouragement to me later part of my life, especially in those times of need.    I am sure he is in Heaven now, and is still praying for me.  

He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had,
and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!” (Job 1:21)

Bible answers about one of the questions that are very difficult to do as a human being, which were listed before — is it possible for a person to give thanks to God when the person falls in a real disaster in one’s life?  

In the land of Uz there lived a man named Job; and he was blameless and upright, one who revered God and avoided evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred asses; and he had many servants, so that he was the richest man among all the peoples of the East.

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered, “From going back and forth on the earth, and walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Satan answered, “But is it for nothing that Job reveres God? Have you not yourself made a hedge all about him, about his household, and about all that he has? You have blessed whatever he does, and his possessions have greatly increased. But just put out your hand now and take away all he has; he certainly will curse you to your face.” Then Jehovah said to Satan, “See, everything that he has is in your power; only do not lay hands on Job himself.” So Satan left the presence of Jehovah.

One day, as Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the asses were grazing near them when Sabeans suddenly attacked and seized them; the servants were put to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Lightning has fallen from heaven and has completely burned up the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While this man was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans, attacking in three bands, raided the camels and drove them away; the servants were put to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While this one was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in their oldest brother’s house when a great wind came from across the wilderness, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men and killed them. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, threw himself on the ground and worshipped, saying:

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had,
and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!” (Job 1:21)

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.  (Job 1:22)

Yes, Job did not curse God neither in heart and thought, nor through his mouth.   This was Job’s true testimony about his walk with God.   His faith toward God was not conditional.   His faith in God was steadfast even when he confronted the real disaster losing everything that he owned including his own children.  Oh, God of mercy.  Please grant a true faith in you.  Like Job, we want to give thanks to you in all circumstance, even though we confront at a disaster or a hopeless situation.  Amen.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.  (Psalm 28:7)

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