Daily Devotion 27 November 2025

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6–7

This is the last week of the Christian calendar. On Sunday we find ourselves in Advent, the beginning of the Christian year. So this week is a time to look back on our spiritual year and forward to the next.

Did we fulfil our Lord’s will for our lives this year? What is God’s will for us next year? Reading these passages from Thessalonians and Philippians, we discover something about God’s will.

God’s will for us is to rejoice, pray, live in communication with Him, and give thanks to Him in every circumstance and at all times.

We are commanded to rejoice always. Not necessarily to be happy, but to have a deep-seated joy. The crucified and risen Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). This promise includes overcoming everything in our private world. So we can rejoice in the security of this glorious truth now and forever.

Praying without ceasing means maintaining an attitude of unceasing dependence on God at all times and an awareness of God's presence in all our activities.

It is difficult to always give thanks, regardless of the circumstances we face. We are told to give thanks even as we bring our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). It is only by God's grace that we can fully trust “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

How wonderful it is that our Creator’s will for us it that we should live continually in a place of joy and thankfulness. If we are honest, we know that is beyond our ability to do by our own force of will. We can only do so if we have surrendered to God in the belief that he holds every moment of our lives securely in his grip.

And, when we are in Christ, our hearts and minds are guarded and kept safe by His peace that passes all understanding.

Prayer

Almighty God, I thank You for the joy of knowing that You hold me and my world in Your hands, and I praise Your Holy Name for the peace which fills my heart as I place my trust in You. Amen.