Dr. Dan Hayden •
Recently I heard someone say, “It’s always nice in Florida.” Well, that’s not exactly true. We have a lot of hot and muggy days in the summer. Seasonally, it rains a lot, and every now and then we have a hurricane. So it’s not always nice. Sometimes – but not always.
There are times when always really does mean always. In Ephesians 5:20 Paul says,
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now that’s a tall order! In fact, I would think it to be impossible were it not for the fact that God tells us to do it. The word “always” really does mean always. It’s not one of those words you can soften by appealing to the Greek.
Actually, it’s a compound word, with the word “all, or every” attached to the word for “when.” So it really means “every when” or “whenever” anything happens. It’s an all inclusive word that literally means “at all times.”
Now think about that with regard to the circumstances of your life – “Giving thanks always.” You’re driving to work in rush hour traffic and you get a flat tire. And you say, “Not now, Lord.” You’ve got company coming, and the oven breaks down. And you say, “Not now, Lord!” God’s timing and our timing often seem out of sync. Why did this have to happen now?
Well, we may never know why things happen when they do – BUT WE DO KNOW that God is sovereign, and timing is one of those things within His sovereign care. Bottom line: we can trust Him with all issues of timing. Whenever anything happens, He’s there to help. So give thanks always!
Say, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow to give thanks. You can give thanks always! ■