Introduction: Theme of Gratitude and Faith in Trials
Brethren, as we gather to begin this series, Echoes of Christmas: God’s Unfolding Plan, our hearts are tuned to Thanksgiving. It is fitting that we turn our minds to the matter of gratitude—an act not for days of ease alone but for days of hardship as well. Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Indeed, the Apostle Paul said much the same, reminding us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Ah, but how difficult this is when shadows stretch across our path!
Introduction: Polycarp’s Faithful Thanksgiving
Beloved, as we gather today to reflect on the call to gratitude amid trials, let me begin with a story from the early church—a story of faith and thanksgiving in the face of the ultimate trial.
Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, lived in the second century and was a disciple of the Apostle John. By his old age, his faith was known far and wide, but so too was his resistance to the Roman demand that Christians worship the emperor. When Polycarp was arrested for refusing to deny Christ, he was brought before the proconsul. They offered him a way out: renounce Christ and declare Caesar as lord, and he would go free.
Polycarp’s reply was resolute: “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
The proconsul, enraged, ordered him to be burned alive. As they prepared the pyre, Polycarp prayed aloud, offering thanksgiving to God. He prayed:"I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of Thy martyrs."
Here was a man who faced death not with fear but with gratitude—thankful for the privilege of standing firm for Christ, even in his final moments.
This is the kind of thanksgiving we are called to—not merely for the blessings of comfort and abundance, but even for the refining fires of trial. How could Polycarp pray such a prayer? Because he knew the truth we find in Scripture: trials are not the end of the story. They are tools in the hand of a sovereign God, shaping us for eternity and drawing us closer to Him.
From the life of Polycarp, let us now turn to God’s Word to explore this call to gratitude in trials and the ways it transforms us. We will see how Scripture challenges us to rejoice, remember, trust, pray, and journey together, cultivating hearts of thanksgiving even in the hardest seasons of life.
Point 1: Rejoicing in Trials (James 1:2-4)
James, that faithful pillar of the early church, speaks to us boldly: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Ah! How foreign this counsel must sound to our human nature, which cries out against affliction! Yet, brethren, James knew a secret—that the fire of trial, when submitted to God, burns away the dross and reveals pure gold. Our faith, dear friends, is strengthened in the crucible of suffering, and each trial we endure with patience is a step toward perfection in Christ.
Just as a refiner sits beside the melting pot, waiting for the gold to be pure, so our Lord stands with us, waiting until He sees His own reflection in our faith. How could we not rejoice, knowing He is working within us, transforming us? When the clouds of sorrow gather overhead, remember that they rain down showers of blessing and shape in us a faith that will stand firm against every storm.
“Consider it pure joy.” Ah, what strength there is in this little phrase! Would you consider it a small thing to see Christ formed in you? Rejoice, then, in the trials, which are but tools in the hand of your Savior, shaping you to perfection.
Point 2: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (Psalm 107:1-9)
We turn now to Psalm 107, where the psalmist invites us to give thanks to the Lord, “for He is good; His mercy endureth forever.” He recalls the wandering souls, lost and weary, yet who, when they cried unto the Lord, were delivered from their distress. How often do we, too, find ourselves in the wilderness, our spirits faint within us! But, dear saints, has not the Lord been faithful? Has He not guided us by His light, even in the darkest hours?
Here is the joy of the believer—that in remembering past mercies, we are emboldened to trust in future grace. Each act of God’s faithfulness is a pillar in the temple of our hearts, reminding us that His goodness never fails. O, let us not forget! Let us raise an Ebenezer in remembrance of His mercies past, for it is by His hand we have come this far.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Beloved, do not allow the shifting sands of circumstance to erase the memory of God’s steadfast faithfulness. Every deliverance, every answered prayer, every whisper of comfort is a reason to sing praises to His name.
Point 3: God's Faithfulness in Trials (Job 1:20-22)
Ah, who better to teach us of faithfulness amid trials than that ancient servant, Job? Here was a man who lost all—possessions, family, health—and yet in his darkest hour, he declared, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” How rare is a faith like Job’s, which clings to God even when the hand of blessing seems withdrawn!
Job’s story is one of triumph, though it began in tears. Here is the truth, brethren: we do not cling to God merely for His gifts; we cling to Him for His very self. The waves of sorrow that swept over Job did not sever him from his God. No, they bound him all the more firmly! And should we not, in our trials, also lift our voices in praise, saying, “Blessed be the name of the Lord”?
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.” Oh, may we be found steadfast as Job, trusting that God’s purposes, though hidden from our sight, are always for our ultimate good and His highest glory.
Point 4: The Power of Prayer in Trials (1 Samuel 1:10-20)
Let us now consider the story of Hannah, a woman grieved in spirit, who poured out her soul before the Lord. Hers was a prayer birthed in desperation, and yet in her bitterness, she did not turn away from her God. Instead, she clung to Him, finding solace and strength in the holy communion of prayer.
Ah, friends, there is power in prayer—a power that does not always alter our circumstances, but most assuredly alters our hearts. When Hannah rose from her knees, she was not yet a mother, but she was already at peace. Her burden, once cast upon the Lord, became light. Let us, then, like Hannah, bear our sorrows to the throne of grace, for there we find a God who hears and who cares.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Beloved, when sorrow presses upon your soul, pour it out in prayer. In His presence, burdens become blessings, and our cries become praises.
Recap: Rejoicing, Remembering, Trusting, and Praying
Let us pause here and gather up the golden threads of what we have seen thus far, for the Word of God, like rich soil, yields abundant fruit for those who pause to till its depths.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul gives us this command: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Ah, what a divine summation of our journey so far, as we meditate on gratitude in the midst of trials!
Rejoicing in Trials (James 1:2-4): Paul echoes James, calling us to “rejoice always.” Our joy is not tethered to shifting circumstances but anchored in the unchanging faithfulness of our God. In every trial, we are made to remember that joy springs not from an absence of sorrow but from the presence of Christ, whose joy is our strength.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness (Psalm 107:1-9): Paul’s call to “give thanks” echoes the psalmist’s invitation to remember the Lord’s goodness and steadfast love. God’s past mercies are like bright constellations in the dark skies of life, each one a reminder that His compassions fail not. Indeed, each deliverance and every blessing should fill our hearts with gratitude, for God is our unshakeable fortress.
Trusting God’s Faithfulness in Trials (Job 1:1-22): “In all circumstances,” Paul says, give thanks. This was Job’s song, even amid great loss and sorrow. Job teaches us to trust not only in the gifts of God but in God Himself. Even when we cannot understand His ways, we can praise His name, confident that His plans are perfect, His heart is kind, and His purpose for us is good.
Praying in Trials (1 Samuel 1:10-20): Lastly, Paul exhorts us to “pray without ceasing.” In prayer, we pour our hearts out to God, as Hannah did, entrusting our deepest sorrows to the One who holds all things in His hands. In prayer, we commune with the Almighty, finding peace even before answers come, for in His presence there is fullness of joy and strength for every trial.
Thus, my dear friends, let this threefold command to rejoice, pray, and give thanks be the refrain of our souls.
Point 5: The Importance of Community in Trials – A Journey Together (Ruth 1:16-18)
Ah, beloved, let us turn our hearts now to that faithful story of Ruth and Naomi, for here we see the beauty of loyalty and the strength found in shared suffering. In Ruth 1:16, Ruth declares to Naomi, “Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” This is no mere statement of companionship; it is a declaration of deep, unyielding loyalty—a bond forged in the fires of hardship and made unbreakable by love.
In the Hebrew, the word yalak is used here for “go,” and it implies a journey, a walk that we undertake together, step by step. How fitting that Ruth uses this word, for in it we see the very nature of our Christian walk. We are not only journeying with God, who is our ever-present guide, but we are also on a journey together, joined in heart and purpose with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ruth’s words remind us that we are called to walk with one another, sharing both the burdens and the blessings of this life.
Walking Together Through Trials
Thanksgiving and Christmas, times when we gather with family and friends, are special reminders of the importance of these shared journeys. During these times, we are surrounded by the warmth of those who journey beside us, those who help carry our burdens and whose laughter, counsel, and encouragement brighten the road. Just as Ruth journeyed with Naomi, committing to stay by her side through the valleys and plains, we are called to walk with one another, united by the love of Christ.
A Journey with God and One Another
Our journey in this life is not always an easy one. We face trials, losses, and dark nights. Yet, it is through these very times that God binds us together, encouraging us to lean on each other as we lean on Him. In our families, in our church, and in our friendships, God has provided us with fellow travelers—fellow pilgrims—who support, uplift, and strengthen us when our strength fails. We are reminded, as Ruth was, that God has given us companions to walk with us and that we too are called to be faithful companions to others.
“Where you go, I will go.” This is the cry of a heart that has understood the depth of covenantal love—the love that does not abandon but endures through every trial. We are bound by Christ to one another, joined not only for the happy days but for every part of the journey, whether easy or hard.
Embracing the Ministry of Presence
As we gather with loved ones this holiday season, let us remember that our very presence can be a source of comfort and strength to those around us. Sometimes the most profound gift we can give one another is simply to be there, to share a table, a prayer, or a tear. In Ruth’s loyalty, we see the image of God’s faithfulness—a God who promises never to leave us, who says, “Where you go, I will go,” and who walks with us through every valley.
In our shared journey, God invites us to become, like Ruth, a source of strength and encouragement for each other. Let us be mindful that we are part of each other’s journey, that we are given to one another to help carry the burdens and to share in the joys, walking hand-in-hand toward our eternal home. Just as Ruth clung to Naomi, let us cling to one another, bearing each other’s burdens as we follow the path that God has laid before us.
Beloved, let us remember that this life is indeed a journey—a journey we undertake with God and with one another. As Ruth clung to Naomi, may we too be bound by the love that comes from God, supporting and encouraging each other on our journey, until we reach the home He has prepared for us.
Point 6: Practical Steps to Develop a Heart of Thanksgiving
We have seen, dear friends, the ways in which Scripture teaches us to give thanks in all seasons. Let us now consider how we might cultivate this grateful heart, even in times of trial.
A. Fix Your Eyes on Christ
When faced with trials, let us not fix our gaze upon the storm, but upon Christ who walks with us through it. Like Peter, let us look to Jesus, and though the waves rise high, our hearts will remain in peace.
B. Remember God’s Past Faithfulness
Keep a record of God’s mercies. Let each blessing be a stone of remembrance, a monument to His goodness in your life. When the night grows dark, look upon these stones and be assured that He who was faithful then is faithful still.
C. Pray Without Ceasing
Oh, how powerful is the prayer of the suffering saint! Pour out your heart to the Lord, casting your cares upon Him, and find rest for your soul. In prayer, burdens become blessings, and anxieties melt away.
D. Lean on the Saints
In times of hardship, seek the company of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Share your burdens, and let them uphold you in prayer, in fellowship, and in love.
Conclusion with Polycarp’s Prayer
Beloved, as we draw to the close of this message, let us reflect on the words and life of Polycarp, a faithful servant of Christ who lived and died as a testimony to unwavering faith. Bound and facing martyrdom, his prayer resounded with gratitude: “I give Thee thanks that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day and this hour.” Even in the face of suffering and death, Polycarp could give thanks, seeing his trial as part of God’s grand unfolding plan.
What greater example could we find of the truth we have explored today? Polycarp understood that the trials of this life are not without purpose. They prepare us for eternity, where we will stand before the throne of God, perfected in Christ. His prayer reminds us that gratitude is not reserved for the easy days but is most gloriously offered in the furnace of affliction. Polycarp’s faith echoes the words of Paul: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
As we leave this place, let us carry this perspective with us. In every joy, give thanks. In every trial, give thanks. In every step of the journey—whether easy or difficult—trust that God is working for His glory and our good. Like Polycarp, may we praise and glorify our God, knowing that our lives are an offering to Him.
Final Exhortation:
So then, let us echo the prayer of Polycarp in our own lives:“I give Thee thanks… for all things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ.”
As we journey together—rejoicing, remembering, trusting, praying, and walking in community—may our gratitude be a testimony to the world of the God who walks with us and is leading us home.
Closing Prayer:Heavenly Father, we lift our hearts in thanksgiving. Teach us to trust You in all things, to rejoice in Your faithfulness, and to glorify You, even in the face of trials. May our lives be a sacrifice of praise, and may we, like Polycarp, endure to the end with gratitude and faith. In the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
