Give Thanks: Trusting

Giving thanks in all is God’s will. To constantly recognize and express gratitude for who He is and what He has done. To remember and proclaim the wonderful deeds He has done.

​Being thankful in all circumstances is no easy feat. For there is much that wounds and angers and saddens; that overshadows God’s working, blinding our eyes to the blessings He gives. That is why true thanksgiving is an act of faith. Of trust. Sometimes we must say, “Thank you,” even when our sight is clouded. 

​In Matthew 14, we see Jesus living in faith as He offered thanks to God:

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
"As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, 'This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.'
"Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'
"'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,' they answered.
"'Bring them here to Me,' He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children." (vv. 14-21)

We find a similar situation in Matthew 15, when Jesus feeds four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fish, after giving thanks. (vv. 29-39)

​When we have food sitting on our plates in front of us, it’s easy to give thanks. When we receive a gift, it’s easy to give thanks. When the prayer is answered, it’s easy to give thanks. When we get the job we want, it’s easy to give thanks. When we see the provision, the supply, the abundance, it’s easy to give thanks. But in situations where there seems to be not enough, can we trust and thank God for His provision even then?

Thanksgiving is so important in all situations because it reminds us Whose purpose prevails (Proverbs 19:21). It reminds us Who will meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19). It reminds us Who we are to lean on and trust with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5).

Because God is in control. God does provide. God is our strength and our rest.

The provision may not come in the way or in the form we thought it would. Things may not go as we planned or wanted. But we humble ourselves before the One who knows best and we trust Him to do best. And He will. He does. For that we can be thankful. 

Jesus trusted in God. He had faith that God would provide. So He gave thanks even when the five loaves and two fish were still just five loaves and two fish. Before all ate and were satisfied. Before 12 basketfuls of leftovers were gathered. 

We see another instance of Jesus’ trusting in and giving thanks to God in John 11:

"Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb [of Lazarus]. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 'Take away the stone,' He said.
"'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.'
"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'
"So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent Me.'
"When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
"Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'" (vv. 38-44)

Again, before provision was made, before the hoped for became the reality, before the miraculous was seen, Jesus gave thanks. For He knew God would hear. He knew God always hears. 

Sometimes life’s situations and busyness and responsibilities do make it difficult for us to see anything good; anything of God’s provision and love and working. That is why we must “live by faith, not by sight.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) For faith is being sure of what we hope for. Faith is being certain of the God we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Thanksgiving given without faith is not pleasing to God. When we give thanks we must believe that God is present and trust Him as the Giver of that for which we are thankful. 

When we live by faith, putting our trust in God, we see God’s glory. We have hope when all odds are against us. We have joy and strength when the pain is too much to bear. We have peace when our world crashes around us. For through it all we know with certainty that we are loved with unfailing love by a God who is always good.

So when five loaves and two fish are all we have, when hope is fading, when we’re wondering how we’re going to hold it all together and get it all done, when sorrow overwhelms, when anger is kindled, let us give thanks. Let us, with a grateful heart, trust that God will display His glory. 

The post Give Thanks: Trusting first appeared on The Overflowing
Photo from Unsplash, edited by Jessica Faith
All Scriptures taken from the NIV, copyright 2011