Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter: A 7-Day DevotionalSample

Day 5

If you’re ever interested in having your mind blown, go look up the Hebrew words of praise. There are a number of them, and each of them have such a profound meaning and implication for the way we worship. One of the words, towdah, is a type of expressive praise that typically implies giving thanks to God for things “not yet received.”

We can give thanks before we see the breakthrough.

We see this a number of times throughout scripture, but one of the most significant ones is in Daniel, chapter six.

In it, we see these officials in the Kingdom of Persia, who hated Daniel and his relationship with God, go to the King and tell him to create a law forbidding anyone in the land from worshipping God. They wanted to trap Daniel and find a reason to get him killed.

The King agrees. The law is formed. The corrupt officials are ready. All eyes are on Daniel.

And we see here something profound.

He does the exact same thing he’s always done. He gets on his knees, three times a day. And he thanks God. He doesn’t bemoan. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t cry out and beg God to intervene on his behalf.

He just thanks God. Before there is any breakthrough to be seen. Thanksgiving is his priority.

I think of all of the times bad things happen. It’s so easy for me to go into desperation mode. To get sidetracked by the darkness and let it set the agenda for my life.

But how powerful a witness is Daniel! He isn’t even phased. He knows what God is like, and so he thanks Him in advance for what he knows God can and will do.

And we all know how it goes. Daniel gets thrown in a lion's den. The lions don’t even touch him. God saves the day. And my guess is Daniel wasn’t ever even remotely surprised. His heart was so rooted in thanksgiving that the outcome seemed so sure to him.

What a great challenge for us. Before you see the answered prayer, give thanks. Before you see the sea part, give thanks. Before you feel confident, give thanks.

Thanksgiving brings breakthrough. Give thanks without wavering.

ACTIVATION

Read Daniel 6:6-10. Talk to God about the biggest fears for the future in your life. What are the things that make you worried, or keep you up at night? Then begin to thank God in advance for the breakthrough you’re looking for there.