Thanksgiving Before Blessings

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Jesus, on the night before he was crucified offered thanksgiving during the Last Supper. “He broke the bread and gave thanks to God for it.” Jesus was expressing eucharisteo ¬ - thanks, joy, and grace. If Jesus could offer a prayer of thanks to his Father on the eve of his crucifixion, in the midst of his suffering, can’t we do the same? What we see in Jesus’ example is that he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving then experienced death, burial, and resurrection. Even though the dark time continued there was a miracle, a re-birth on the other side. Our Heavenly Father will resurrect us too. Oh, that we too would offer Him praise and thanksgiving in the midst of the storms. Blessings will come!

2 Chronicles 20: 12-22 shows that thanksgiving preceded a blessing.

The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and other armies declared war on Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Jehoshaphat called upon the people to get serious with God. As the enemy began to bear down on Judah, God spoke through Jahaziel, “Do not be afraid!...for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same. They worshipped the Lord. The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holey splendor. They sang, “Give thanks to the Lord and; his faithful love endures forever!”

At THAT VERY MOMENT, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. When the army of Judah arrived, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see.

Thanksgiving preceded the miracle! This land was called the Valley of Blessing. The army then marched into Jerusalem singing music as they entered the Temple of the Lord.

Can we become thankful for EVERYTHING? Even in our wounded moments? Can we look back and see the blessings on this side of our bruised and wounded moments? Let us go before him with praise and thanksgiving as he always goes before us.