Sermon Notes 11/30 – Giving Thanks Before The Answer

Giving Thanks Before The Answer

Philippians 4:6-7
 
Thanksgiving is: thanking God, not because you see the result, but because you trust His character. 
 
2 Chronicles 20
 
“You will not have to fight this battle. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)
Their job wasn’t to fight.
Their job was to thank God.
 
The Hebrew word for “give thanks” in the Old Testament is yadah means “to acknowledge God in the middle of the mess or lack of understanding”.
 
YADAH is not silent gratitude —
it is visible, vocal, hands-raised thanksgiving
that declares faith before the miracle.
 
1: THANKSGIVING BEFORE THE VICTORY SHOWS FAITH
“God, I trust You before I see You.”
 
Jehoshaphat didn’t wait until the battle was over to praise.
 
In Jewish worship, yadah wasn’t used for victory; it was often used in seasons of fear, uncertainty, and waiting.
 
When you thank God in advance, you’re saying:
  • “You’re bigger than my battle.”
  • “You’re faithful to Your promise.”
  • “You don’t have to prove yourself again — I know you’ll come through.”
2: THANKSGIVING SHOWS OUR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
 
1 Thessalonians 5
5: 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 
Gratitude isn’t something you wait to feel; it’s something you choose to practice.
 
It doesn’t say for everything, but in everything.
 
You may not thank God for the battle,
But you can thank Him in the battle.
 
Maturity is reading the Word….
Romans 10:17
 
Jehoshaphat didn’t thank God for the armies; he thanked God in spite of the armies. 
 
3: THANKSGIVING RELEASES GOD’S POWER INTO THE BATTLE
 
Our praise should be on the front lines of every battle
 
The enemy can use our own words to lose the battle
 
 
THE POWER
“Give thanks (YADAH) to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” 
 

What does this show us?

  • Thanksgiving confuses the enemy
  • Thanksgiving activates the supernatural
  • Thanksgiving turns fear into faith
  • Thanksgiving is a weapon, not a reaction
Praise didn’t follow the victory — praise produced the victory.
 
  1. THANKSGIVING PREPARES YOU FOR WHAT’S TO COME
Where does the enemy start to invade first? Our mind and heart…..
 
Paul continually reminds us that our peace comes to us as a gift from God.