"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. "
1 Thessalonians 5:18
SAY THANKS
Read It: Matthew 14:19-21 What a wonderful contrast there is between the way Jesus responded to this situation and the way His disciples responded. He gave thanks. We would have been complaining. I'll bet when Jesus said, "Let us give thanks," Philip and Andrew were looking at each other thinking, Give thanks for this? But Jesus was thankful for what He had. Most of us would have started our prayer with, "How come I only have crackers and sardines? Lord, You promised to meet all my needs, and I need more than this." Most of us would have been fussing and complaining, "How come I don't have more?" One of the tragedies today is that we don't have enough Christians who know how-to give thanks for what they already have. Jesus gave thanks for two reasons: He had something, and He was anticipating more. Did Jesus need more than five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand men, plus women and children? Of course He did. But He knew what Paul later told us. Don't come to God with anxiety, but come with thanksgiving to let your need be known (Philippians 4:6). Don't come to God without saying thanks first. So Jesus broke the loaves and fish, and there was so much food that everyone on the premises ate until he was stuffed. The writer lets us know that this was not some little thing where everyone got a nibble or a crumb. So that there would be no doubt or confusion, he said that the people ate until they couldn't hold another bite.
See, when we're talking about our circumstances, we have to get away from worrying about the sardines and crackers we have. Otherwise, all you'll see is what's at the bottom of your little lunch box. So Jesus did the job with just five loaves and two fish, because He knew what to do with them, and He knew where to go. He went to the Father, but He didn't go griping. He went with thanksgiving. You may not have much, but if you have a compassionate Christ who can get to an all-powerful Father, you've got everything you need. Think About It Until we learn to give thanks for what God gives, we won't see Him supernaturally take what's given and multiply it to make more out of it.
No Comments