Your Daily Devotional for November 12, 2006

 

November 12, 2006

 

 

Giving Thanks: Even During Adversity

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-24

 

Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this.” Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, “We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.”

We all recognize the passage of Scripture we have today as being the Lord’s Supper but notice verse 24, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”  Jesus Christ gave thanks for the bread before serving it to the disciples! This may not seem significant, but consider where Christ was in His ministry on earth. This was the last meal that Christ would have before He would be crucified. He knew that later that night, Judas was going to betray Him and the Roman guards would take Him prisoner.

 

Jesus must have felt a wide array of emotions at this time and yet, He gave thanks. How many times have we been caught in the middle of a trial and forgotten to thank God for it? Yet, when facing torture and death, Christ thanked His Father.

 

I once read this paragraph and it really puts things in perspective. “Even though I clutch my blankets and groan when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear, for there are those who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see, for there are many who are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise, for there are many who are confined to their beds. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family, for there are many who are lonely. Even though our table never looks like the pictures in the magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have, for there are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work, for there are many who have no work. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.”

 

If Jesus could give thanks in a time of great adversity in His earthly ministry, how much more should we be thankful today? Even when troubles and trials come into our lives, we can find something for which we can thank God! Take time right now to write out ten things for which you are thankful. Keep that list handy so that the next time you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, you can rejoice and thank God for His blessings.

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