Being Thankful can Bring us Courage
Being Thankful can Bring us Courage
The apostle Paul was summoned Rome to meet stand before the emporer. He would be taken as prisoner aboard a prison ship bound, and suffering. There wasn’t anything comfortable about this voyage, nothing easy but one thing he still did he thanked God!
Acts 28:11-15KJV
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
Introduction: The very fact that it says he thanked God and took courage says that Paul was of low spirits at the time. And why not; he wasn’t aboard a cruise ship it was a prison ship bound for Rome, and the ship wasn’t sailing comfortable, nor was Paul who was in chains. We can think that our pain and suffering is the worst, that it is unfair, but think of others think of Paul think of Jesus! We can still be thankful even for the smallest things and in that take courage.
1. We can be thankful when in trial or pain.
a. Jesus said to be of good cheer when we have tribulation
John 16:33KJV
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
b. God’s word promises that we will have help during those times of trouble.
Isaiah 41:10KJV
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
c. We can be thankful God is still in charge, God still answers prayer, he is ever with us and never leaves our side!
2. We can be thankful for unexpected blessings.
- God puts concern in the hearts of our brothers and sisters during these trying times! Verse 15.
- I promise you there is someone out there in a bigger storm in life than we are! This past “Turkey Day” has been one of forgetting what we have to be thankful for! People spoke on one TV show about what they were thankful for and were unable to come up with anything worth mentioning!
- Can you breath? Go to a hospital and visit someone there with emphysema, can you walk? Visit someone in a wheelchair having problems making ends meet? Look around there are people that have much less and are still thankful for what they have! (My car)
- No matter how bad the feeling may be He is with us always no matter how bad the news is on the tube he will never leave us and for that we can be thankful!
3. We can be thankful for God’s strength and power.
- By sending these brethren from Appii Forum and from another town the Three Taverns God showed Paul that he wasn’t alone in the battle. And we aren’t alone today! So let us be thankful!
Isaiah 43:2KJV
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
- God understand and knows our limits He knows what we can and cannot bear! He knows the trials we cannot handle.
1 Corinthians 10:13KJV
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Conclusion: A spirit of defeat weakens us, but a spirit of thanksgiving renews our courage and our strength. If you feel weak this morning Jesus can make you strong!
Psalm 27:14KJV
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.