THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING (EBENEZER 2025)
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Ministering: DR. IFEYIMIKA BAMIDELE
People often ask, “Why should I thank God, especially in this present economic situation?” They argue that we ought to be praying for divine intervention, not gathering to offer thanksgiving.
But let us consider the story in 2 Chronicles 20:1-4: “1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them others beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.”
This passage teaches us something powerful: Thanksgiving is not about convenience—it is about covenant. Even in the face of overwhelming threats, Jehoshaphat and the people did not panic; they sought the Lord.
In your life, every collaboration or gang-up against God’s will shall fail in the name of Jesus Christ.
Many live in fear of things that will never happen in their lifetime. We must learn to shift our focus from fear to faith.
Consider 2 Chronicles 20:11-14: “11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;”
This is a call to every believer: Always be a part of the solution to the problems confronting people in your lifetime. Let the Spirit of the Lord move through you to bless others.
Look at 2 Chronicles 20:15: “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Do not be afraid of whatever is confronting you—God will fight for you and give you all-round victory.
Now read 2 Chronicles 20:17-24: “17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.”
See the power of praise and thanksgiving—when they began to sing and praise, God moved supernaturally, setting ambushes and causing confusion among the enemies. Now observe what happened afterward in 2 Chronicles 20:28-29: “28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. 29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.”
Thanksgiving became a testimony to surrounding nations that God defends those who trust in Him.
In the New Testament, Jesus showed the same principle in Matthew 14:19-20:
“19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”
Here again, Jesus gave thanks before the miracle of multiplication happened. Thanksgiving is a divine key to abundance.
So, instead of complaining about the economy or challenges, develop an attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving attracts divine intervention and positions you for victory and increase.
Are you ready to give thanks to Him alone?
Prayer Points
- Oh Lord, I thank You for the first half of the year. I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness.
- Oh Lord, I thank You for the second half of the year 2025. I thank You because everything has been perfected for the next six months and beyond, in the name of Jesus Christ.
