“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18
When I memorized this passage many years ago, I used the initials R.P.G. to help me remember it: Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. I also thought of a rocket-propelled grenade—an “R.P.G.”—not as a weapon of war or violence, but as a powerful instrument of grace and love. When we take this command seriously, it can be truly life-changing.
This is what we are called to do: to rejoice, to pray, and to give thanks.
• To rejoice is to celebrate who God is with a grateful heart.
• To pray is to stay in constant contact with the One who made and redeemed us, our Savior.
• To give thanks—especially today, on Thanksgiving, surrounded by family, remembering friends, and worshiping a God who sacrificed everything so that we might live, breathe, and have our being.
Today I am out in the country at our family place, amazed by the beauty of the countryside around me, grateful for the family members who are with me, and deeply thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally. I know, however, that many people are not in such a peaceful place. Many are struggling, fighting for their lives, oppressed, or held captive. Yet this verse applies even more powerfully in those situations. No matter our circumstances, we are called to rejoice, to pray, and to give thanks.
So this is what I am doing—and what I will continue to do. I will glorify God and remain grateful for the place He has put me. I will not forget the hurting, the lonely, or the lost. I will be the hands and feet of Christ—thankful for my own blessings yet never blind to the pain of those around me. And I will pray for God’s Kingdom to come, for Christ to save all people, and for Him to return and take us to Himself. This is my aim as I carry 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 in my heart and live it out in my life.
“O Lord God, You are so faithful and loving. Your kindness extends to all generations. Thank You for all You have done for us—in our distress and especially in our delight. Come now, Holy Spirit; fill us with Your power and love so that we might one day see You face to face. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.