Faith Is… VI

‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’ Heb.11:1.

Finally, faith is thanking God even before I receive it. Benjamin Franklin said, “The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason”. If you chronicle the life of Jesus you will notice that thanking God before receiving the miracle was a pattern. ‘So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me’ John 11:41. Lazarus was still dead yet Jesus was thanking God in advance. That is faith. Even Jesus thought it was important to thank God in advance. Thanking God in advance is faith and works rolled up in one. ‘It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down’ Heb.11:30. Between marching round and the walls crashing down something happened. They shouted to God with a voice of triumph. They thanked God in advance for the land and for victory. It is easier to thank God after receiving the promise. That is not faith, that is gratitude and there is a place for gratitude. Even the heathen can be grateful. But faith is thanking God before you receive it. Thanksgiving becomes an act of faith, which is what scripture advises us to do. ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you’ 1Thess.5:18 [KJV]. So we thank God for the possession of the land [what ever the land symbolizes to you] in Jesus Name even before we see it.

There are two possible attitudes when you sow a seed sacrificially. Some give sacrificially and they are always very happy and full of joy. While others, even after giving, keep wondering if they have made the right decision. It really does not matter the category you fall into, you have to choose to thank Him in advance for the breakthrough that will happen and for that which He will do. Thank God in advance for the multiplication that will yet occur. As you sow your seed to God, thank God for the harvest that is going to come your way. Thanksgiving is a powerful act of faith.

Prayer: Father, it is indeed a good thing to give You thanks. You alone know the end form the beginning. It is only You that has given us victory in advance. Let all that I am thank You Lord in every season, in Jesus Name.