“…He took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it and began to eat” (Acts 27:35).  The man giving thanks is the Apostle Paul. Here we learn, not from his teaching, but from his example, what it is to be thankful.

Notice the occasion on which he gave thanks. Paul was a prisoner on his way to stand trial before Caesar, enough to provoke fear and despondence in the most courageous of men. The ship on which he was sailing had been tossed by a violent storm for weeks; a storm so severe that neither sun, nor moon, nor stars had appeared for many days, and all hope that they would be saved had been lost (Acts 27:20). In their attempt to survive, the sailors had already thrown all of the cargo overboard, and they were now about to do the same with the food that remained. Except for the intervention of God, this would be their last meal. On this occasion, Paul gave thanks.

Many suppose themselves to be religious because they give thanks in the midst of prosperity and blessing. But what is their disposition when trials wage war and desires go unfulfilled? Do they give thanks in those times? One mark of the ungodly is that they are not truly thankful (Rom 1:21), and this is rarely more evident than in times of difficulty. But the essence of a true work of grace is to be thankful in all circumstances: not just in the calm, but in the storm; not just on the mountain, but in the valley; not just in ease, but in trials; and these very difficulties of life are often used of God to reveal and confirm the state of the heart. See Paul. In the midst of adversity, he gave thanks to God—and his thanksgiving was sincere. The transformed heart within him was thankful even in the midst of hardship. So we learn by His example. This is not to minimize the difficulty of trials, and indeed some are quite severe; but the principle of thanksgiving can operate even when sorrows overwhelm the heart—and not only operate, but be enhanced through such times. And do we not have a multitude of things for which to give thanks even in the worst of times? Has the Lord not immensely blessed us? Has He not supplied food, shelter, and abundance, given us fruitful seasons, and fulfilled our every need? Let us, therefore, learn to be thankful in all circumstances of life. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes 5:18).

Notice the thing for which he gave thanks. –Bread, and not much of it. –Bread, but bread supplied by the hand of God. It is a fallacy to think that the indulgences of life make for happiness and thanksgiving. It is often the very opposite. Those who have the most are often the least content, and the desire of the rich is rarely satisfied. What lovers of pleasure have ever been satisfied? We would do well to learn this lesson. Therefore, in teaching us to pray, the Lord has directed us to request not the dainties of life, not those things extravagant, but our daily bread—that which is essential for our nourishment and peace. And as Paul said elsewhere, “having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim 6:8). Part of the essence of true thanksgiving is to be thankful for the common blessings of God’s providence. And what is more common and overlooked than the bread on our tables? Yet few things beyond it are needful for us, and none are more needful to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness. Foods are “to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Tim 4:3), making our attitude toward the food on our table—yes even the bread—the evidence of God’s truth in our hearts.

Notice the company in which he gave thanks. Luke and Aristarchus, fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, had accompanied Paul on the ship. Paul’s giving of thanks would be an example and an encouragement to them. It would cause them to take heart in God: to remember that God was guiding their every circumstance; to see God’s hand in providing for them; to take hope that the God who sets bread on the table also provides in our every trial and difficulty. When one is down, God may use another to lift him up (Eccl 4:9-10); so Paul, in expressing his thankfulness and faith in God, enlivened the hearts of his friends, giving them strength to continue.

But the ship was comprised, not just of Paul and his companions, but two hundred and seventy-six persons, most of whom were prisoners, soldiers, and sailors. Few, if any of them, knew the true and living God, but in the presence of them all, Paul stopped to give thanks. What an example! The ship was battered by the storm and in danger of perishing. The men were exhausted and losing all hope. But Paul stood in the midst of the hopeless to give thanks to God for a piece of bread. What a scene! How soft the hearts had become! How open to bow the knee because of the severity of God’s providence! Severe trials turn the thoughts of even the irreligious to seek the help of God, and we do well to take advantage of such providence, encouraging them to seek Him. We do well, as Paul, to be a living testimony to the work of God in the heart. In the midst of this trial, Paul became the spiritual leader of not just Christians, but all. All eyes were upon him, submitting to his direction, if only his God might save them. And it is often the case that severe trial becomes to the unconverted nothing less than the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Paul, here, is reminiscent of the Lord Jesus Himself, who took bread and blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples. The breaking in part signifies that the blessing is not for one, but for all. The bread that God supplies is to be shared, and the table is not to be restricted to the religious, but opened to sinners; a testimony to the grace and mercy of God.

Notice the One to whom he gave thanks. –The true and living God: the One from whom all blessings flow. He is our creator and sustainer. “He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). He showers His blessings on the evil and the good; on the just and on the unjust. He is infinitely worthy of our thanks.

But His greatest gift is that of redemption. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  What greater gift could He give? —And He gave it not to the righteous, but to sinners. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). When we see Paul break the bread, we are reminded of that sacrifice. We are reminded that Christ is the bread of life (John 6:48). We are reminded that His body was broken for the salvation of His people, and in Him is eternal life. All of eternity will not exhaust the thanksgiving of God’s people for such a salvation. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15).

Let us, therefore, humbly bow and acknowledge our need of the salvation of Christ. Let us, with Paul, receive Him as our Lord and Savior. Let us walk with Him and find in Him all things for which to be thankful. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:17).