A can of sardines and a pack of saltines (or soda crackers as we’ve always called them) were all they could round up for the picnic. Problem was this gathering had grown into thousands of hungry people. This would be a present-day description of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men and their families with only 5 barley loaves of flat bread and 2 small fish. I have read and taught on this story countless times. Yet, this week I saw something I had missed. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks (Joh 6:11). What was Jesus giving thanks for?—certainly not enough to feed all the people but maybe enough to feed Himself. Neither, He was giving thanks for what they had—5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The verse also says He took the loaves and fish. Think about some of the responses He could have given. “Thank the little boy, but it is not enough so let him eat his lunch.” “See if anyone else can contribute.” “Father, this isn’t enough to do any good.” You can probably think of more. The word thanks is formed from the root words good, grace, and joy. It literally means ‘thankful for God’s good grace.’ In this situation, it means to express gratitude to God for His grace that provided the five loaves and two fish. Giving thanks for what He had opened the door for the Father to work a miracle.
The Bible use the words thank and thanks 133 times and in almost every reference, the object of thanks is the Lord. O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chr. 16:34). Even in heaven John saw, the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever (Rev 4:9). Contrast this with the opposite reaction of complaining and murmuring. Now the people [Israel] complained about their hardships (Num 11:1 NIV). They forgot God had set them free from the grueling labor as Egyptian slaves. God had given a constant supply of manna for them to eat but the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! (Num 11:4). The Lord did send quail. In every challenge they encountered, they murmured and never gave thanks for all the blessings that God had given them. God is longsuffering but He finally tells Moses and Aaron, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me . . . your corpses will fall in this wilderness (Num 14:27, 29). Grumbling in contrast to giving thanks closed the door of victory for Israel.
An example of the power of giving thanks comes from King Jehoshaphat when Moab, Ammon, and Edom formed a coalition so they could destroy the tiny nation of Judah. Jehoshaphat led the nation to pray and during this time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the Levite—a singer and a descendent of Asaph. God gave him a message that we still quote, Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s (2 Chr. 20:17). Jehoshaphat embraced this word from God and the next day he devised an unheard of military strategy. He put the choir ahead of the army. If the battle was the Lord’s, then they were going to show their faith by singing and praising God. Therefore, they marched and sang, Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. At that moment, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Edom and they destroyed one another.
About half way through writing this, the Holy Spirit nudged my heart and I realized this SW was as much for me as any other reader. It is far too easy to begin focusing on the negative, and fail in giving Him thanks for all His blessing. Years ago a book came out with the premise we should praise God for everything that happened to us no matter how bad it was. If you had a flat tire, you were supposed to thank the Lord for the flat tire. I soon learned this was totally unbiblical. Rather we are to thank God in the mist of our troubles. In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1Th 5:18). We thank God in our trouble and not for our trouble.
In Roman chapter one Paul writes about the decline of man further and further into sin until God releases them into the pit of a reprobate mind (Rom 1:28). We should take verse 21 as a strong warning noting where this decline began. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1:21). Note that key phrase; they did not . . . give thanks. Jesus did not complain or grumble. He did not ask the Father to multiple the bread and fish. He didn’t ask God to bring someone with more. Rather, He trusted the Father knowing He would take care of the people and simply gave thanks for what they had.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Think about all the good things you have and the blessing God has given you throughout the week and give thanks. You will be releasing the Father to do something wonderful.