Premature Praise

Don’t thank me, I haven’t done anything yet!

Psalm 70:1-5

Reference: But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” (‭Psalm‬ ‭70‬:‭4‬ NIV)

Explore: At work the other day I went up to a colleague from another department to ask for assistance. The job I was asking them to do wasn’t heavily arduous, but I realised it was something extra in an already busy day.

When my colleague agreed to help me out I was so relieved. “Thank you,” I said, “I really appreciate this.”
My colleague replied jokingly, “Don’t thank me, I haven’t done anything yet!”

This was not the first time I had heard such a reply, in fact, I think I’ve even said the same thing myself a couple of times. But when my colleague said it to me on this very busy day, I didn’t feel my thank you was premature.

I was thanking him for hearing me out, for being open to taking on an additional task, and was trusting he would complete the job he had agreed to fulfil. For all of this I was very thankful.

Application: I have to admit, when it comes to thanking God I don’t think I do this early enough. It’s not until I see my answer to prayer that I respond with thanks to God.

And yet, even more so than a diligent colleague, I trust God is faithful and reliable and has my best interests at heart when He acts. Therefore, I should be thanking God constantly, not just when I see results but in anticipation of what He will do in my life.

Prayer: Lord, even if we stopped every minute of every day to thank You, that still wouldn’t cover our gratitude for all You do for us. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers and knowing our hearts. Amen.

What are you thanking God for in advance?

appreciation, Job, Psalm, thankful, work