Title: Do you Give Thanks for the Food?
In John 6:11, we see Jesus take the five loaves and two fish, and before distributing them, He gave thanks. This moment is powerful because it shows us that gratitude comes before the miracle. Jesus did not focus on the insufficiency of the food; instead, He acknowledged God as the source and trusted Him to provide. By giving thanks, He demonstrated faith that God could turn little into much.
This example challenges us in our own lives. When faced with situations that seem impossible, do we grumble and complain, or do we pause to thank God? Often, our human instinct is to calculate, strategize, or even manipulate circumstances to make things work. But Jesus teaches us that thanksgiving is the key to unlocking divine provision. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Gratitude is not just a response to what God has already done; it is an act of faith in what He is about to do.
The Bible consistently calls us to a life of thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Notice it says “in everything,” not only when things are easy or abundant. Even in scarcity, even in uphill battles, we are called to thank God. Thanksgiving shifts our perspective from the problem to the Provider.
Grumbling, on the other hand, blinds us to God’s power. The Israelites in the wilderness murmured against God despite His daily provision, and their complaints kept them from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:27-30). Gratitude, however, magnifies God’s presence and prepares us to see His hand at work.
So, let us learn from Jesus. When we sit at the table, when we face challenges, when we look at what seems insufficient, let us give thanks. Thank Him for what He has already done, thank Him for what He has given us now, and thank Him for what He will do. Gratitude is the language of faith, and it is the pathway to miracles. Just as Jesus gave thanks before the bread multiplied, so too will God multiply the little we place in His hands when we trust Him with a thankful heart.
Let's follow Jesus' example, give thanks always. Share your thoughts here and feel free to share this with your contacts.
©Dr. Joel Olanrewaju gbemide09@gmail.com.
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