Dr. Rick Mandl - November 24, 2020
Thanking God For What We Don't Yet Have
Devotional Manuscript: Thanking God For What We Don’t Yet Have
Message By Dr Rick Mandl, November 24, 2020
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
This Thanksgiving week, I’ve been focusing on God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). We know from experience that the harder our circumstances, the harder “giving thanks” can be. Usually when we think of “giving thanks” we associate that with what has provided for us in the past, or what he’s given us that we have right now. Today I want to challenge you to thank God for the future in the present. What do I mean by that? John 6 tells the story of a familiar miracle. It’s the story of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. Many of us are familiar with the boy who had “five barley loaves and two fish” (v. 9) and the fact that Jesus “distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted” (v. 11).
There are however two elements of this miracle that are often overlooked. One is the fact that our Lord didn’t just feed the crowd, but in fact, provided them with “as much as they wanted.” This was a rare feast for a group of hungry people, and one I’m sure they wouldn’t forget. The other thing that’s easy to miss in this story is what our Lord did before he distributed this feast: John 6:11 tells us that . . . “Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them” (v. 11). What’s significant in this is that He gave thanks to God for what he had not yet received from God. After Jesus thanked God for what he did not yet have, it was then received what his Father chose to give.
You and I have a gracious heavenly father who delights in blessing His children with good things. It was with that realization in mind that Jesus encourages us to go to him in prayer. . . In Matthew 7 he said it this way. . . “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 NIV)
Our heavenly Father is a good, good father, who loves to give good gifts… I wonder how many of his good gifts, we have not because we ask not. His gift may come in a moment. It may come in years to come. It may come in ways you recognize or it may come in ways you do not. But it will come. Someone once observed . . . “Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms his child.” One way God answers present prayers for future blessings is by giving us what we ask. Another way is by giving us something better than what we ask.
I love what Pastor Tim Keller said about prayer. . . “God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything he knows.” To make Thanksgiving not just a holiday but a lifestyle, let’s follow the example of our Lord. Let’s thank him for what we have and for what we do not yet have. And let’s trust him for his best, whatever that may be.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
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