Thank Him for Strength
Paul's strength to do his ministries were not of his own accord. He knew that. We should know that our strength to do God's work does not come from our own reserve either. In 1 Timothy 1:12 Paul says " I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service..." We can do the same. While we are not Paul, we do know that God has, does and will continue to appoint those He chooses to do His work. What has he called you to do?
Another note, if we look at Paul's life in whole and not in part we will see that verse 15 that speaks of Paul being the worst sinner is not a verse that many can apply to themselves. I personally, due to my guilt of my own sin, used to wear a t shirt that displayed my guilt as if referenced that verse and being the worst sinner. But, in fact that verse that Paul wrote was in literal reference to himself in regard to him being personally responsible for the death of Christians because they were Christian. So, before you go quoting scripture and applying it to you, make sure it is not one that is specific to just one person and can only or primarily apply to them.
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And when he had given thanks...
Sometimes we can over look something so simple and easy. It may sound silly but when I come home late and there is a good parking spot in front of my house, I thank Jesus. When I make it home safely and pray before bed, I thank Jesus for my safety. I give thanks. In Luke 22:19, it is literally right in front our faces and we overlook because it is not a major part of the story, but still gives insight into who Jesus was and how we can interact with God.
During the Lord's Supper as he takes his bread, Jesus says thanks. It's just a piece of bread. Nothing major, but still food to eat and something that Jesus gives thanks to God for. Pretty simple and insignificant for some people. But for me, it shows how even in the small things, we can be thankful.
The small thing of giving thanks before eating the bread shows how Jesus could be thankful for something seemingly insignificant and small. remember Luke 16:10, "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." If Jesus were the type to over look even the smallest of things to be thankful for and to be faithful in such as giving thanks and his personal prayer life, then that would be evidence to show him to not be the Messiah.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus knew his body would be broken and his blood would be spilled but still gave thanks to God anyway before telling the disciples about the upcoming events. Give thanks.
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