Have you ever gotten a gift and secretly wondered how you’d ever use it? You remembered to be polite and thanked the giver in spite of misgivings about the gift. That was our experience last Christmas. One day a rather large box arrived by Amazon delivery. We were mystified because we hadn’t ordered anything. We double-checked to make sure we weren’t about to open a neighbor’s package. Sure enough, our name was on the label. We were even more surprised when we discovered the contents- an air-fryer. Honestly, my first reaction was, “Yikes! This is going to take up a lot of space on my counter, which is precious real estate.” With misgivings, I situated the new appliance between the toaster oven and the refrigerator. But who sent this gift? Didn’t they know I have a smallish kitchen? Shortly after, we found out our oldest son had generously sent it to us. We thanked him, but weren’t convinced we would benefit from it. We did, however, trust his choice of a gift since he is an accomplished cook. If he thought it was a good idea, we should be willing to try it. Fast forward a week, then a year. . . We use it often every week. Our gratitude preceded our happy ending, but it did make possible the happy outcome. If we hadn’t been grateful and trusted the giver, we wouldn’t have given it a fair chance. I think that’s the way it is with our response to God.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”. Romans 8:28

We often think of God’s promise to work all things together for good as a happy ending promise. Pie in the sky by and by. But what if his promise is for good for us today? What if in the difficult moment today we say, ‘Thank you, Lord, that you are in charge. I trust that you are bringing me good even if it doesn’t feel like it.’ What if God is looking for our thanks in the moment even before we see a happy ending? How would that change us? Wouldn’t we be more peaceful, less stressed, happier people?

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. . . he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”  Romans 8:29-30

What if part of his good for us is moment by moment, changing us into better humans? What if that difficulty today is a stepping stone to stronger faith? What if that frustration this morning is a method for God to change our griping into trusting? What if that disappointment yesterday is an opportunity for God to take us by the hand?
Lest you think I’m touting only a feel-good formula, let me emphasize that we do have an important responsibility in this promise of good. His part is to arrange, provide, plan- yes! But our part is to be obedient so he is free to bless us. He can’t bless disobedience because ignoring his commands will inherently cause our harm. All his commands are for our deep happiness and going against them always causes pain. When we truly love him, we want to please him by following his directives. We want to walk with him, ie, going the same direction as he is, which brings me to God’s good purpose for us. God’s purpose for us is to become like Jesus. He picked us to be his own children, adopted into his family with Jesus as the firstborn. With that adoption, we receive security and privileges as he helps us fit into the family. God gave us right standing with himself and as a result, he is giving us his own glory as we become more and more like his glorious Son.

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”  Hebrews 13:15

Why is praise a sacrifice? Just like God’s people in the Old Testament brought an animal or some of their crops for sacrifice at the Temple, we bring our praise as a gift that pleases God. By thanking God for who he is and what he’s doing, we revere God’s rule, giving up control and giving ourselves to God.
Why should our praise be a continual sacrifice? We’re thanking him for yesterday’s blessings and we’re thanking him in faith even before we see tomorrow’s blessings. No matter what our circumstances, we’re praising God for his love and goodness even before we see what he’s doing for us. Our examples in the Old Testament are the priests who attended the Tabernacle, the place of God’s special Presence. Every day, without fail, they thanked God:

“And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him.” 1 Chronicles 23:30.

Like them, we are commanded to continually give thanks, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Let’s make it a habit to say, ‘Thank you, Lord, that you are in charge. I trust that you are bringing me good.’ Let’s give thanks in the moment even before we see a happy ending. We’ll be more peaceful, less stressed, happier people.