Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thinks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 ESV

Some passages of scripture make more sense if you read the phrases from ending to beginning. The phrase “rejoice always,” can seem like Pollyanna advice until you read the last phrase, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The will of God is the starting place for our response to all of life’s events—the bright ones and the dark ones—but it is especially important during these dark days. What is God’s will for you during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Most believers want to know the know the will of God, but fewer want to follow the will of God. Discovering the will of God is a waste of time unless it is accompanied by a commitment to follow it regardless of whether it aligns with known self-interests.

We can rejoice always—even now, because we know it is God’s will for us. We rejoice that God is in control. We rejoice that this pandemic, like all other pandemics, will have an ending. We rejoice that if even the worst that can happen, does happen that there is hope beyond the grave.

We can pray without ceasing when we know it is God’s will. Instead of just watching the news we can pray the news. When our President or another political leader is featured in a story, we pray for our governing authorities to have wisdom. When we are viewing refrigerated trailers being filled with pandemic victims, we pray for their families. 

When we wash our hands for 20 seconds, we don’t just sing happy birthday; instead, we pray for health care workers who are on the front lines. When we hear an ambulance go by, we pause and pray for our first responders. Twice a day, at 7:14 in the morning and evening we pray that God will hear our prayers and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14). At 3:16 in the afternoon we remember that God loves the world, and we pray for those who have yet to respond to the gospel.

When you get on one another’s nerves in your home, you pause and thank God for your family and for extra grace. When you are tempted to worry, you pray.

We can give thanks in everything when we know it is God’s will. Please don’t misread the previous sentence. I’m not saying that the present suffering is God’s will. I’m saying a thankful heart is. Even when we cannot give thanks for everything, we can give thanks in everything.

I was asked to write an article on managing conflict during the safer-at-home mandate, which is what I’ve attempted to do. Following God’s will and being a rejoicing, praying, thankful person will inform how you respond to conflict caused by others, and will keep you from spreading it around.

Please, be safer while you are at home. Love and care for one another. Rejoice. Pray. Be thankful.


Read More

Owning Up to the Failures of our Theological Heroes

What can be done when you discover the sins of historical figures who have shaped your theology?

Chris Woznicki
Affiliate Instructor in Theology at Fuller Seminary, JEC Research Fellow

Author’s Perspective: Andrew Fuller and the Search for a Faith Worthy of All Acceptation

Dr. David Rathel discusses his upcoming publication on Andrew Fuller.

David Rathel
Associate Professor of Christian Theology
Dr. Rathel is the associate professor of Chrisitian Theology at Gateway Seminary. Prior to Gateway, Dr. Rathel supplied pastoral care to churches in the United States and Scotland, served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology and Philosophy for the Baptist College of Florida, and provided teaching assistance for the University of St Andrews.

Listen

The Study Podcast
October 22, 2024

Revelation Chapters 8-11

This episode covers the seven trumpets in Revelation chapters 8-11, emphasizing their role in the series of seven judgments. Dr. Stewart focuses on spiritual oppression and demonic activity, contrasting with the human-centric judgments of the seven seals.


Watch

Jonathan Edwards and the Asbury Revival

Chris Chun and Chris Woznicki discuss the signs of true revival, signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, and why it is important to critically assess the characteristics of revival in a spirit of charity.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Jonathan Edwards and the Baptists | Douglas Sweeney, Nathan Finn and Chris Chun

Dr. Douglas Sweeney and Dr. Nathan Finn joined Dr. Chris Chun for a panel discussion on Jonathan Edwards, recorded live at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Get updates on new content!