With Jesus, we are the victors in any circumstance

As Thanksgiving approaches, we as always find ourselves to be looking back on the year and giving our thanks and hallelujahs for all of the blessings that have come about this year.

Although in a year such as this, it may be easy to fall into the temptation of asking what is there to be thankful for in the midst of this pandemic, in the midst of political change that not everybody can agree on, in the midst of a year that so many are quick to call the worst year ever. In actuality, I have found it easiest to thank God during some of the hardest times.

In times of loss, we look to the blessings that we still have. In times of unsure footing, we look to the solid rock on which we stand. As David hid away in the cave in Psalm 57 he cries out, “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!” (Psalms‬ ‭57:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

So I find myself even more thankful this year than I have ever been before; thankful for a wife and child, a family I can call my own, thankful for this beautiful body of Christ that we are surrounded with in this community, thankful that Jesus is our king and not some silly politician, and thankful that no matter what, we know the word of God says that it is finished. The blood of Jesus when He died on that cross declared victory over all of the plans of the devil, and when we became a part of His family, we became victors in the midst of every circumstance. And so I leave you with this,

“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.