15 The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
In the above verses, as Jesus prepares to feed the five thousand, He gives us a wonderful lesson on consecration by thanksgiving. What an appropriate time to delve into this topic! Holding the loaves and the fish in His hands, He looks into heaven and gives the Giver of every perfect gift thanks – consecrating or setting apart as sacred, the food He was about to bestow. I would certainly say that those meager five loaves and two fish were blessed beyond imagination! That’s what I call stretching a meal (the original Hamburger Helper)! With God the supply never runs out. I love it when God exceeds my expectations and I even think that He delights in doing that too! Paul states this so clearly in Ephesians:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Eph 3:20 (NIV)
And David gives us this word of encouragement in Psalm 36:7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalms 36:7-8 (NIV)
God is not only able but also willing to do God sized things in and through our lives. We are the ones that stay His mighty arm with our lack of obedience, our refusal to request, our pride, our lack of gratitude, our selfish ambition and our vain conceits (etc., etc.). I fully believe that He takes great pleasure in giving to His children just as we, as mere humans, delight to give to our children. Jesus speaks of this in the Sermon on the Mount: 7 "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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his 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! Matt 7:7-11 (NIV) Abba (Daddy) Father enjoys both our asking Him (relationship) and His subsequent bestowal of the request (giving). This is not like Santa Claus, it is far better. It is perhaps the difference between getting an entire beach instead of a sandbox! All is bestowed by His hand to His child for His child’s betterment and for His glory alone. This does not mean a life of ease necessarily but a life that is satisfying and abundantly full beyond our meager imaginations. One is never satisfied in this life apart from His filling. It is our God given purpose. Anything requested that conforms us to the image of His Son and that is aligned with His perfect will, is heaped upon us in loving measure. When the answer we receive is a “no” or a “wait”, it is because of a greater good that He is in the process of accomplishing (hence the cross of Christ where prior, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus receives a “no” to His request of the removal of the cup). We see but a poor reflection yet God sees the picture in its entirety. His time schedules and ours are often vastly different. In faith, with thanksgiving, we trust His wisdom and His timing. God desires for His children to develop an attitude of gratitude for all that is allowed in our lives. Paul tells us plainly: 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Cor 4:7 (NIV)
Humility coupled with thanksgiving is the only acceptable posture for a child of the King. God is the giver of every perfect gift on the basis of His marvelous grace. He alone is deserving of our praise. 8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chron 16:8-11 (NIV) 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chron 16:34 (NIV) 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)