Thanksgiving Even in Suffering

When you look back on the year 2020, would you be able to say that it was one in which you gave thanks? That might seem a preposterous idea, given the disastrous circumstances we have found ourselves in, but it is worth our consideration as Christians nearing the Thanksgiving holiday. Is God worthy of our thanks in the midst of immense suffering?

The book of Job gives us an interesting perspective as we consider what we are thankful for. In the opening two chapters, the biblical spotlight is swung from its earthly illumination to the heavenlies and the very presence of God Almighty. In this celestial realm we witness a dialogue between God and Satan regarding the life of God’s faithful servant Job. For some 40 chapters, Job suffers greatly at the hand of Satan’s destruction of his family, material blessings, and health. Yet, he never learns of the heavenly conversation between God and Satan that we, the Bible readers are privileged to.

The spiritual realm is further revealed by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6. He calls the church at Ephesus to view life as a spiritual war. As believers we are to be dressed for battle, armed with truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the very Word of God. He reminds them:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

These reminders that earth is merely the location where spiritual battles are played out is important amidst the suffering of so many in this past year. A global pandemic, immense civil unrest, national uncertainty over the election, and an unknown economic future is only part of what we all are facing. What is there to give thanks for?

Return to the heavenly realms for some clarity on biblical thankfulness. Consider the end of time when all believers throughout time along with the complete company of angels are gathered around the Holy throne of God. The Apostle John, the writer of Revelation and the recipient of God’s heavenly vision describes the scene in the following manner:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Revelation 7:9-12

The angelic chorus sings a song of praise to God exalting seven distinct attributes of His might nature. Amongst the seven attributes worthy of worship is, “thanks.” Thanks, because the salvation of the multitude, this unnumberable throng of people through the ages, belongs to God alone. Job showed us and Ephesians reminds us that the evil one is out to destroy us. However, we give thanks because the victor of the cosmic battle has already been determined.

This year give thanks because God, in sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, has provided victory over the forces of evil. The angels, elders, and living creatures will celebrate the fact that God has worked out his plan for the salvation of His creation. God is worshipped in thanksgiving for redeeming, protecting, and granting victory to the multitude through the Lamb’s redemptive work.

While our current plight is real, it is only temporary. Our eternal hope is secure. It is a good time to pause the spiritual battle and remember that our foe, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, has already been defeated. For that, we can be eternally grateful.