I the link above, we witness a family escaping in their vehicle through the fire in California, where many have lost their lives, and many are still missing. In the video, while the husband drives, the wife is praying to God for safety through the midst of the fire that surrounds their car. Prayer and thanks to God can deliver us out of every calamity.
Scripture tells us to be thankful to God in and through every circumstance. We are in the Thanksgiving season, and it is a time of year that reminds us of this spiritual truth that we often neglect as we are caught up in the day to day problems of life:
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:16-18
The apostle Paul identifies rejoicing, prayer, and thanks in every circumstance as the specific will of God for each of us. Thanksgiving is an essential element in our relationship with our Father, Creator, and Savior.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God:
It is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100, a psalm of praise
Embedded into our praise and thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of the LORD God as our Creator, our Shepherd through all, and His enduring, eternal mercy towards us. It is by thanksgiving that we enter through the gates of His courts, and into His presence, and leave behind all things that would attempt to overcome us. He promises to be there for us in our praise and thanks. He is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Psalm 106 begins: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. We rely upon His promise of unending mercy that flows to us through our praise and thanksgiving to Him.
Thanks and praise to our God have become rare in the times in which we live. In fact, it is discouraged by secular society. However, as man turns away from acknowledging God, and giving Him the thanks that He has instructed us to give, the thanks that should be in our hearts towards Him, the very heart of man becomes darkened:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to become wise, they became fools." Rom. 1:21-22
We are clearly seeing this effect of thanklessness all around us. Those who belong to Christ, however, are to be changed inwardly, not conforming to the attitudes of the world around us, but putting on "as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do...do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father by him." Col. 3:12-17 (pt.)
Since the body of Christ is called to be "one body", as scripture tells us above, why aren't we praying and praising, and thanking God until that peace of God rules in our hearts and overflows to fill the whole earth? If you want to be filled with that promised peace, begin to praise Him, begin to thank Him, especially in the midst of the fire, in the midst of the storms of life.
In heaven, praises, glory, blessing, honor and thanksgiving are given to the Lamb Who sits on the throne. The praise is so powerful in the Spirit, that all creation hears it, and joins in (Rev. 5). This is the worship to which we are called and to which we are to be conformed. This is the new song that we are to hear in our spirits, and sing ourselves. Let us join the holy praise (click the link below):
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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