In Debt

But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you...      2 Thessalonians 2:13

Actually, I was looking for another verse when I ran across this one.  What initially caught my eye was "in debt." I had recently been in a conversation about trusting God, and we were thinking of concrete, tangible ways to do that.  Among the several responses, the one I remember most was trusting God to have enough money to pay the bills. 

My brain immediately rewound to 25 years ago when this problem seemed to constantly plague my family.  Through God's grace, we eventually got through that tough time. 

Trust God? 

Very difficult when you're having to figure out just when the paycheck will hit the bank so you can buy as few groceries as possible that will last as long as possible. 

Very difficult when your child wants to do something extra at church or school and you have to say no.

Being in debt is no fun.  So how do we get out of debt?  We pay whatever it is that we owe.   When we pay a debt in full, we feel relief with a little freedom thrown in. 

In the verse above, Paul said we are obligated to give thanks.  The Amplified Bible added “as those who are in debt.”  Are we indebted or obligated to give thanks?  Yes, because God did the very thing that would free us all and give us eternal relief from the debt of this world. 

Love Him, trust Him, obey Him, and all with great thanksgiving.

He loves us so very, very much.