Thanksgiving Living - Philippians 4:4-20

(I gave this message at Pines Baptist Church, Pembroke Pines on November 24, 2019. You can listen to the message under the title "Thanksgiving Leads to Thanksgiving" online at sermonsonline.com here.) 

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. For many of us when we think of Thanksgiving we remember that group of 50 Pilgrims who gathered in October of 1621 in Plymouth Massachusetts to express thanksgiving to God for their first harvest ten months after arriving in the New World in December of 1620. 

The first Federal Thanksgiving Proclamation was made by President George Washington on October 3, 1789. Part of the proclamation reads a follows: 

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection, and favors...Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th Day of November next, to be devoted by the People of the States to service of the great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country...and for all the great and various favors He has been pleased to confer upon us."

243 years later, on October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a nationwide Thanksgiving Day, declaring that it would be a day of "...thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." 

On December 26, 1941 the United States Congress established the fourth Thursday of November as a legal public holiday known a Thanksgiving Day.

I’m not sure that Thanksgiving Day is observed by everyone as it was originally by the Puritans. Nor is it always celebrated as day set apart to both recognize and give thanks to God as reflected in the two presidential proclamations I just read to you. 

I googled "Thanksgiving Day" and clicked on , "What is the meaning of Thanksgiving Day?" "Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day", and 'What does Thanksgiving really mean?" and there was no mention of giving thanks to God at all. No mention of WHO we are to give thanks TO on Thanksgiving Day.

 This Thursday we can acknowledge, as the Pilgrims did 398 years ago, and as President Washington and Lincoln noted in their proclamations, that this is a day to both acknowledge and give thanks to our God for his provision and blessings. 

One of the challenges we face as believers is living a lifestyle of thanksgiving to God. Hence the title of the message "Thanksgiving Living". This morning I want to share some thoughts with you from the Apostle Paul regarding thanksgiving from the fourth chapter of his letter to the Philippian church. 

You might remember Paul's first visit to the city of Philippi as recorded by Luke in Acts chapter 16. Luke writes that Paul had a vision of a "man of Macedonia...urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'"

And that is exactly what Paul did arriving in Philippi a leading city of Macedonia and a Roman colony where he planted his first church in Europe. He met Lydia, a "seller of purple goods" there by the riverside and led her and her household to the Lord. He cast out the demon of a slave girl who was a source of income as a fortuneteller for her slave owners. This led to the arrest of Paul and his companion in ministry, Silas. 

They were beaten and imprisoned. God then set them free by a great earthquake. Subsequently, the jailor and his family were converted. 

And now years later, towards the end of his life Paul writes a letter to the Philippian church this time from a Roman prison. Sean McDonough explains one of the reasons Paul wrote the Philippians.

"He was...eager to thank them for their continued support. Imprisonment carried with it a social stigma, and it would have been easy for the Philippians to turn their back on Paul at this point. But they had remained faithful to him."

This is the background of Paul's letter to the Philippian church. And as we look at the subject of thanksgiving living, I want to focus our thoughts on four things in this text. You will find them on the outline in your bulletin. Joy - Prayer - Contentment and Provision. 

What does joy have to do with thanksgiving? What role does prayer play in thanksgiving? How is contentment important to a life of thanksgiving? What provisions has God made for living a life of thanksgiving? 

Philippians 4:4-9,  (ESV)

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let you reasonableness [or gentleness] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand [or near], do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things and the God of peace will be with you."

Let me pause here and share something personal. I have been going through some challenging times for the last several months, and I will admit that I have struggled to live consistently in the truth of Paul's words to us. As I prayerfully considered what message to bring today, one of the reasons I chose this message was because I needthis message! 

In verse 9, Paul encouraged the Philippians, and encourages us, not only to practice his teaching but to follow his example. So let's focus on those four words, joy - prayer - contentment - provision as we consider Thanksgiving Living. 

First of all joy, verse 4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice." 

I think we all know what it means to rejoice. To be joyful, to be glad (The Analytical Greek Lexicon) Here in verse four it is a present imperative, in other words, it is a command to continuously rejoice in the Lord. D. A. Hayes says the book of 

Philippians "...is the Epistle of Joy." The title of A. T. Robertson's commentary on the book of Philippians is Paul's Joy in Christ. Writing about this letter to the Philippians, the German theologian Bengel said, "The sum of the epistle is, I rejoice; rejoice ye."

Remember, Paul wrote these words while a prisoner in Rome! That fact alone is instructive, but not surprising. D. A. Hayes explains, 

"Paul was a man whose spirits were undaunted in any circumstances. He might be scourged in one city and stoned in another and imprisoned in a third and left for dead in a fourth, but as long as he retained consciousness and as soon as he regained consciousness he rejoiced. Nothing could dampen his ardor. Nothing could disturb his peace. In Philippi he had been scourged and cast into the inner prison and his feet had been made fast in the stocks. His back was bleeding and torn; his ankles were swollen and paining him; he could not lie down; he could not sleep. It was too dark in the dungeon for him to see anyone, but he could hear the voice of Silas somewhere near him in the midnight gloom. Some men would have been depressed under these circumstances, and the prison damp and darkness would have chilled their very souls. It was not so with Paul. He began to sing hymns of praise to God, and Silas joined in. " (The Epistle to the Philippians, pg.421) 

Under these dire and painful circumstances Paul and Silas held a midnight worship service! And Luke adds, "...and the prisoners were listening to them." 

What does rejoicing in the Lord have to do with thanksgiving living? Well, note that Paul says we are to rejoice in the Lord. Ralph Martin explains, "In the Lord is the governing factor in the exhortation. It is the Philippians' faith in the Lord which makes rejoicing in the throes of opposition a glorious possibility." (Philippian Studies, pg. 167) 

Beth and I have had three new granddaughters added to our family this year, one in January, February and September. And it has been so easy to rejoice in the birth of these three precious babies. The joy experienced in meeting them holding them, loving on them has been effortless. 

But Paul says rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. While it is easy to rejoice with the birth of three new granddaughters, rejoicing in the midst of overwhelming, even painful circumstances, as was the case of Paul and Silas, is another matter. Jac Muller notes that Paul's instruction to "rejoice in the Lord always" is a command. He writes, 

"Not circumstances decide whether there will be joy, but in the Lord, in living fellowship with him, the believer can and must rejoice under all circumstances. Hence the apostle's repetition of the exhortation: 'Rejoice!'" (New International Commentary pg. 140) 

I believe to "Rejoice in the Lord always" is an act of worship. I believe it is a form of praise. May I suggest that rejoicing in the Lord sets the stage for thanksgiving living. Listen to the Psalmist - Psalm 100,

"Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Do you see why Paul instructs us to "rejoice in the Lord." The God described in Psalm 100 remains the same no matter what our circumstances are. Our circumstances can change but the character and faithfulness of God never changes.

Please do not underestimate what we are to rejoice in, rejoice in the Lord" A. T. Robertson explains, 

"Paul's joy was not grounded in earthly conditions but in Christ. No one could rob Paul of Christ or of his joy in Christ. Christ satisfied Paul's soul. Christ was his all in all. He needed nothing else to make his soul sing aloud and long for sheer joy." (Paul's Joy in Christ, pg. 129)

Let me ask you this morning. Can you rejoice "in the Lord"? There is a prerequisite to rejoicing in the Lord. First you must know the Lord. Paul testified to the Galatian church,

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."(Galatians 2:20  ESV)

Jesus has made every provision necessary to save us from our sin. As Paul testified, Jesus Christ "gave himself for me." That is, He died on the cross bearing the penalty for our sin, the sin that separates us from God. When we repent of our sin and put our trust in Jesus' death and resurrection we are born again and Christ lives in us as Paul testified. Only then can you "rejoice in the Lord." Rejoicing in the Lord; giving praise to the Lord; sets the stage for giving thanks to the Lord in prayer. 

That is the second word, prayer, Philippians 4:4-6. What role does prayer play in thanksgiving? You will notice that thanksgiving is included in Paul's instructions on prayer. "...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [or petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." 

Giving thanks is a part of our prayer life, and especially when we are struggling with anxiety. Paul says, "...in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make your requests known unto God." 

As we have just noted, Paul says we are to "rejoice in the Lord always" meaning in every circumstance, and now he instructs us to pray with thanksgiving in every circumstance. Paul gave similar instructions to the Thessalonians, 

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Paul described some of his "circumstances" in writing the Corinthians.

"Five times I received at the hands of Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. [one of those was in Philippi] Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers, in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:24-28 ESV) 

In light of these experiences of Paul we see the need for him to write in verse 5, "let your reasonableness [or gentleness - forbearance] be known to everyone." I don't know about you but when I get anxious or worried about something I sometimes get on edge. Anxiety often produces inner turmoil that often spills over in our relationship to others, hence the admonition to be reasonable toward others. 

Notice that Paul then goes on to explain how to deal with anxiety. "Do not be anxious about anything" verse 6. Standing on its own this would be a tall order!  "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING?" He makes no room for anxiety! Paul however does not leave us out on a limb. He continues verse 6, "...but in everything by prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." 

Paul is challenging us to take our anxieties to the Lord in prayer and petition, and do it in the context of joy with thanksgiving! "Give thanks in ALL circumstances" (emphasis mine). 

Essentially, Paul is linking prayer with our daily living. And he links thanksgiving with prayer. Both are to be the practice of the believer. Hence, Thanksgiving Living! H. A. Kennedy writes,"Thanksgiving is the background, the predominant tone of the Christian life." (A. T. Robertson, Paul's Joy in Christ, pg. 131) 

Thanksgiving is to characterize our relationship with the Lord in every circumstance we find ourselves as we go to Him with our petitions and requests. 

This is the question I have to ask myself in light of Paul's admonition here; Is my prayer life characterized by thanksgiving? Dr. Mark Lee wrote, "Thanksgiving is a part of the formula of prayer. Thanks and praise are as necessary to prayer as salt and pepper are to food." ("Five Kernels of Corn" Alliance Life11-15-95) 

Note briefly these results. What is the opposite of anxiety? Paul makes mention of "peace" twice in this passage. verse 7, "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" verse 9, "and the God of peace will be with you." 

What could be more valuable than peace as we struggle with anxiety? Paul says the "peace of God...will guard your hearts", verse 7. A.T. Robertson, "This peace of God quiets both our hearts and our thoughts." (Paul's Joy in Chris, pg. 13)

However, notice that just as there is a prerequisite to rejoicing in the Lord, as we have just noted, there is also a perquisite to knowing the peace of God that Paul speaks of here. You must be at peace WITH God before you can experience the peace OF God. As A T Robertson writes, 

"God is the God of peace (Phil. 4:9), and his peace is the inward peace of the soul that is grounded in God' presence and promise. Paul here assumes that we have made our peace with God in Christ and now we are enjoying our peace with God Romans 5:1)." 

Have you been reconciled to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ?  In other words, are you at peace with God" This is the prerequisite of experiencing the peace of God that Paul is speaks of here. 

The third word - contentment, Philippians 4:10-20, (ESV) 

"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you 'to share' my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

How is contentment important in a life of thanksgiving?  Paul expresses his thanksgiving for the gifts of support he had received from the Philippian church. And in doing so, Paul shares what is apparently an important part of Thanksgiving Living - contentment. According to verse 12 he experienced times of great need and times of great plenty. And in verse 11 he says "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."May I suggest to you that contentment is part of the framework of thanksgiving. J A Motyer writes it is, "...the 'restful contentment' of the Christian, the opposite of the desire for more." and in Paul's case, he writes "Circumstances no longer had power to touch him, for he was content." (Philippian Studies, page 176) 

 Paul wrote the Romans, "...we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope..." (5:3-4 ESV) 

But Paul also learned the secret to contentment, "...in any and every circumstance" verse 12, and verse 13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

For the born again Christian nothing God calls us to do or be depends on our own strength. And that truth is Paul's explicit testimony in this verse. Times of suffering, deprivation and want and times of plenty were the context of Paul learning contentment, but it was the power of God that strengthened him making it possible for him to learn contentment.

Earlier I mentioned the Thanksgiving celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621. What you might not remember is that this came after incredible suffering following their arrival in Massachusetts in December of 1620. William Bradford, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony wrote of what happened after their arrival in Plymouth, 

"...In two of three months' time half of their company died especially in January and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with the scurvy and other diseases which this long voyage...had brought them. So as there died as many as two or three a day in the foresaid time, that of 100 and odd persons, scarce 50 remained." 

Shirley Dobson writes, "The pilgrims landed in Massachusetts on December 16, 1620. Lacking sufficient provisions and shelter for winter, most settlers became ill within weeks. Ten of 17 husbands and fathers died with the 'first infection', and of the 17 wives, only three were alive after three months. By April, more than half of the population had died of disease or famine. These bleak circumstances were punctuated by other forms of human tragedy. For example, William Bradford's wife drowned as they disembarked from the Mayflower, leaving him a widower with a 1-year old son." 

In spite of these overwhelming tragedies and unimaginable suffering, the Pilgrims that survived that first winter set apart time to give thanks to God. 

The fourth and last word - provision. What provisions has God made for living a life of thanksgiving? Paul was grateful for the gifts of the Philippian church helping him in time of need. But note in verse 19 another truth that is important, if not foundational for Thanksgiving Living. "And my God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

Note the extent of God's promise. "my God will supply every need of yours." Paul's testimony in this letter bore witness to this truth. God had used the gifts of the Philippians to fulfill this promise to Paul. God's promise to supply our needs is echoed all throughout Scripture. For example Matthew 6:33. In the context of discussing the foolishness of being anxious about the physical needs of life, food, clothing and shelter, Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  (ESV) 

And notice the guarantee behind the promise. Again verse 19 Paul writes, "according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God can make this kind of promise because of who He is. The promise rests on the nature of God Himself. In other words, there is no limit to His provision. It is limitless. It can never be used up, no matter how great the need. His promise is inseparable from the glory of the one making the promise. It is the promise of a resurrected, ascended exalted and sovereign Lord unlimited in power. That is the foundation for thanksgiving! That allows us to "give thanks in all circumstances" and "to continue in prayer, being...thankful".

I close with this illustration. Author unknown. 

"Sandra felt as low as the heels on her Birkenstocks as she pushed against the November gust at the florist shop. Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What's worse Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. 

'Had she lost a child? No-she had not idea what I'm feeling.' Sandra shuddered. Thanksgiving? "Thanksgiving for what?" she wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?" 

'Good afternoon, can I help you?' The flower shop clerk's approach startled her. 'Sorry,' said Jenny, 'I just didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.' 

'I...I need an arrangement.' 'For Thanksgiving?' Sandra nodded. 'Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Special.' 

Jenny saw Sandra's curiosity and continued. 'I'm convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling. Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?'

'Not exactly!' Sandra blurted. 'Sorry but in the last five months, everything that could go wrong has.' Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, 'I have the perfect arrangement for you.'

The door's small bell suddenly rang. 'Barbara! Hi,' Jenny said, She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom. She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers. 

'Want this in a box?' Jenny asked. Sandra watched for Barbara's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems and no flowers! She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither women did. 'Yes, please. It's exquisite,' said Barbara. 'You'd think after three years of getting the special, I'd not be so moved by its significance, but it's happening again. My family will love this one. Thanks.'

Sandra stared. 'Why so normal a conversation about so strange an arrangement? she 

wondered. 'Ah, said Sandra, pointing, 'That lady just left with, ah...' Yes?' 'Well, she had no flowers!' 'Right, I cut off the flowers.' "Off?" Off. Yep. That's the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.' 

'But, why do people pay for that?' In spite of herself she chuckled.' 'Do you want to know?'

'I couldn't leave this shop without knowing. I'd think about nothing else!' 'That might be good,' said Jenny. 'Well,' she continued, 'Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she faced major surgery. ''Ouch!' said Sandra.

'That same year, I lost my husband. I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.' 

'What did you do?' 'I learned to be thankful for thorns.' Sandra's eyebrows lifted. 'Thorns?' 'I'm a Christian, Sandra. I've always thanked God for good things in life and I never thought to ask Him why good things happened to me? But, when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time to learn that dark times are important. I always enjoyed the "flowers" of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.'

Sandra gasped. 'A friend read that passage to me and I was furious! I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God.' She started to ask Jenny to 'go on' when the door's bell diverted their attention.

'Hey, Phil!' shouted Jenny as a balding, rotund man entered the shop. She softly touched Sandra's arm and moved to welcome him. He tucked her under his side for a warm hug. 'I'm here for the twelve thorny long-stemmed stems!' Phil laughed, heartily. 'I figured as much' said Jenny. 'I've got them ready.' She lifted a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator cabinet. 'Beautiful,' said Phil. 'My wife will love them.' 

Sandra could not resist asking. 'These are for your wife?' Phil saw that Sandra's curiosity matched his when he first heard of a Thorn Bouquet. 'Do you mind me asking, "Why thorns?''In fact, I'm glad you asked, 'he said. 'Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem. We rescued our marriage---our love, really. Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in here for flowers. I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose thorn-stems!' ---a reminder of what she learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us. I'm pretty sure this stem review is becoming a tradition.' 

Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left, said to Sandra, 'I highly recommend the Special!' 

'I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life,' Sandra said to Jenny. 'Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love. Do not resent thorns.' 

Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. for the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment. 'I'll take twelve long-stemmed thorns, please.' 'I hoped you would,' Jenny said. 'I'll have them ready in a minute. Then every time you see them, remember to appreciate both good and hard times. We grow through both.' 

'Thanks you. What do I owe you?' 'Nothing. Nothing but a pledge to work toward healing your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me.' Jenny handed a card to Sandra. 'I'll attach a care like this to you arrangement but maybe you'd like to read it first. Go ahead read it.' 

My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorns! I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear, teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow. ~ George Matheson 

Jenny said, 'Happy Thanksgiving, Sandra,' handing her the Special. 'I look forward to our knowing each other better.' Sandra smiled. She turned, opened the door and walked toward hope." 

Let's read this together as we close:

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let you reasonableness [or gentleness] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand [or near], do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.... 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.... 

And my God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

© James P. McGarvey, All Rights Reserved

Why Fast to End Abortion

(This is a slightly edited version of a message I gave at the Mid-Point Rally of 40 Days For Life Fort Lauderdale, on October 18, 2012, Day 23 of the prayer and fasting campaign.)

Last Friday, well into the second hour of my vigil at the All Womens Center, I watched a man, perhaps in his mid thirties pull into the parking lot and enter the center alone. About twenty minutes or so later, he and a women left the center, got into their late model automobile and drove off. From everything I had observed over that last hour or so, they had just made an irreversible decision and taken the life of their child.

I was overwhelmed with a vicarious sense of their loss. It was emotionally painful with tears of sorrow, even momentary sobs.

You see, at least two things had contributed to that visceral response. First of all, I realized this couple had just denied themselves the privilege of ever looking into the eyes of their child. They would never know the unique and distinct personality of a child God had meant for them.

My mind was filled with the imagery of looking into the eyes and the joy I have of knowing my three and a half year old grandson Adrian, who himself was the result of an unplanned pregnancy. Born out of wedlock, but by the grace of God given a chance to live by his mother. [Most aborted children are conceived out of wedlock.]

He and his mother have lived with us for over three years now. Just the day before, it had been "Papa time" when I cared for Adrian as his mother went to work late that afternoon. We had spent several precious hours together down at the beach and the jetty.

Secondly, on that Friday, every client that went in or exited during the two hours I stood alone in front of the center, were African American. For five years I have been working in the African American church community seeking to sound the alarm of the genocidal effect of abortion in America's Black community.

At Friday's vigil, I realized that I was witnessing Black Genocide, and it was not easy to watch.

The founder of World Vision, the late Dr. Bob Pierce once said,

"Break my heart with the things that break the heart of God." That was his heart cry.

In April of 2009, Christine J Gardner, writing in "Christianity Today" commented on those words.

"...that is precisely the experience of the biblical prophets. They saw the abuse of the people God loved with his eye and loved them with his heart--and thus they wept with the tears and decried injustice with his voice." She continues, "If... the primary purpose of fasting is to draw near to God's heart, a true fast will result in our seeing as God sees and weeping over injustice as God weeps over it." (CT 04-05-99 "Hungry For God," pg. 31)

If that were the only result we experienced from prayer and fasting in the 40 Day For Life Fort Lauderdale campaign, may I suggest to you, that alone would be worth it.

What am I saying? This fast gives God the opportunity to do something not just regarding the evil of abortion, but an opportunity for God to do something in our hearts as those he has called to the work of ending abortion and to a ministry of intercession on behalf of the unborn.

Andrew Murray, wrote,

"Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, to sacrifice ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God." (With Christ in the School of Prayer)

Last week after returning from one of the vigils I told my wife, "I feel God is, 'schooling me,' to use a word from my children's generation, "as I participate in the prayer vigil." And I welcome it, as He is teaching me how to respond to America's abortion crisis as I gain a better understanding of how He views all of this.

And that is exactly what the Church is wrestling with, or should be wrestling with today. What does God think of all of this? I believe that is one thing God wants to do for us through this season of prayer and fasting at the All Womens Center or as you fast and pray from some other location.

Yes, we are there to access His power and intervention to end abortion. Yes, we are there to intercede on behalf of the post-abortive who walk out of that clinic never to be the same again. Yes we are there to intercede for the salvation of clinic staff and employees.

But I believe of equal importance, is that God wants to "school us." In other words,

He wants to birth His heart for the unborn in our hearts. He wants to break our hearts with the injustice that breaks His heart. And He wants to do this by drawing us to Himself.

Friends, that is a key component of fasting and prayer. It is not just a by-product of fasting but the very the fabric of fasting and prayer.

You see, the intimacy and fellowship with the Lord experienced in prayer and fasting becomes the very conduit through which He touches and changes our lives, freeing us to respond in compassion and love to those both deceived and blinded to what they are doing by their participation in abortion.

Remember that, to God, knowing Him, is far more important than what we do for Him.

God is continually seeking to be given a larger place in our lives. He wants a larger place in our affections. He jealously wants to deepen the intimacy of our personal relationship with Him, knowing, that out of that love relationship, we become more useful to him.

In Matthew 9, Jesus was asked why his disciples did not fast as did the disciples of John and the Pharisees. Perhaps you remember Jesus' response, in verse 15,

"How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the issue of fasting as recorded in Matthew 6:16-18,

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Two observations from these passages - first, Jesus assumed his followers would fast. He says "when you fast" not "if" you fast. It wasn't a matter of "if." It was a matter of "when." He said, the day would come when his disciples would fast in his absence.

Second, motive is key. He exposed the hypocrisy of those who fasted to be seen. We fast to the Lord, not to gain the recognition of man. On the contrary, we fast to humble ourselves before the Lord.

David said, "I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting" (Psalm 35:13)

And Peter's spiritual principle is so appropriate here, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  (1 Peter 5:5) Through fasting, we position ourselves for an out-pouring of God's grace.

And as we noted last time [in my message, "Strategic Prayer" at the Kick Off Rally] from King Jehoshaphat's experience,  fasting is a means of communicating our desperate need of God or our desperate need of his help or intervention.

I don't know how many of you are old enough to remember the era when telegrams were used. I remember as a boy growing up in Japan in the 1950's and 60's that my parents used them. Remember, back then there was no internet , no skyping,  no emails or texting. It took several weeks to get an airmail letter from the States.

There were telephones of course, but we rarely received phone calls from the States or made calls to the States because it was cost prohibitive, around $25 a minute. So telegrams were used to send important messages quickly. 

When the man came to the door and delivered the telegram it wasn't set aside to be read at a later time. No, if a telegram came you knew it was important. You opened it and read it immediately. I remember seeing some of those telegrams. There was no concern for proper syntax, just the minimum number of words to get the message across. You paid for telegrams by the word.

Through the 40 Days for Life campaign, we are sending God a telegram. We need His help. Each of us personally need his help to do what he has called us to do. We urgently need his intervention, on behalf of the unborn threatened by abortion; on behalf of those employed at the All Womens Center; on behalf of the clients of the center; on behalf of the post-abortive and on behalf of our nation.

Again, Arthur Wallis, in God's Chosen Fast he writes,

"Fasting is calculated to bring a note of urgency and importunity into our praying, and to give force to our pleading in the court of heaven."

This is God's provision for us to call upon Him not only for His help but to seek to know His heart and passion for the unborn as we move into deeper fellowship with Him.