Thanksgiving Opens The Door To The Miracle Of Life To Dead Things
“I find it is always easier to give God thanks when what I am trusting God for comes to pass, or when the breakthrough happens, or when I have the extra money in my bank account. When things are flowing in my favor, it’s easy for me to give praise and thanks. How about you? I am sure you also find it easier to praise and give thanks when things are going your way. I have noticed with Jesus, and the miracles that occurred, His thanksgiving was always before the breakthrough, the healing or the multiplications. I also noticed just before the miracle happened, Jesus did not spend long hours pressing through in prayer either. Why is that? I am glad you asked because as I mentioned earlier in the plan, Jesus always took time to pray before he started his day. Jesus would meditate, petition, and get instructions from his father on how to conduct his day. Long before Jesus walked into the situation that required a miracle, he was infused with power from on high. Jesus’ heart was to go about His Father’s business, and that was to bring the kingdom from heaven to earth, kingdom business meant healing, deliverance, provision, and peace. Kingdom business was his mission and to establish kingdom he had to align himself with what God the Father was doing. Jesus’ time in prayer and meditation in the early mornings empowered him to perform miracles.
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close friends with Jesus, they loved Him, and He loved them, but one-day tragedy struck, and Lazarus died. Word was sent to Jesus, but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get to them. He waited four days before he showed up, Lazarus was already buried, and by then his body would be in the decaying process. This was a beyond dead situation if we think about it, it’s not like Lazarus had just passed away with a chance of mouth to mouth resuscitation- it was terrible! Yet, this did not limit Jesus; he prayed the simplest prayer of thanksgiving….What? There was nothing to give thanks for; the man had begun to decay, give thanks? If I am honest, I would have cried because I didn’t show up earlier, I would have said, “There is no hope because too much time had passed.” And if by some small chance I thought there was any hope I would have called an all-night prayer meeting but probably still be doubting the whole time.
Jesus did cry a little, but it didn’t keep Him from working the miracle of bringing Lazarus back to life, He thanked God for hearing Him; that is strange because Jesus gave thanks. When did God hear Jesus’ prayer to raise Lazarus? Jesus prayed ahead of time, even before the death took place. Jesus believed for life in dead places. Maybe you are facing a tragedy today; perhaps it’s your marriage, your child, your finances, or even your health. I don’t know what dead situation you are dealing with, but I do know that God wants to open the door for a miracle of life to enter. Why not just take this day to give God thanks for hearing all the prayers and petitions you sent up about your situation. Like Jesus, declare your gratitude to Abba today, rest in His faithfulness, and love for you, and give Him room to move, and get the glory! If you’ve prayed a whole lot about it now is the time to give thanks for the answer.”
“God is in control and therefore, in everything I can give thanks.” – Kay Arthur