BIBLE STUDY
I. Miracles, praise and thanksgiving are connected. We see this throughout the scriptures.
A. Nehemiah 5:8-13, 6:15. Note here that the people corrected their sin (5:8-12), then praised God (5:13), and then the miracle came in the very next chapter (6:15). Note that the sin issue was corrected before the miracle came.
B. 1 Samuel 17:45-50. David honored and reverenced God right before he killed Goliath.
C. John 6:1-12. Jesus gave thanks before the miracle of feeding the 5000.
D. Matthew 15:29-39. Jesus gave thanks (verse 36) before the miracle of feeding the 4000.
E. John 11:38-44. Jesus gave thanks before the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (verse 41).
II. What is the connection? Why are miracles, praise and thanksgiving connected?
A. Praise ushers in the presence of God, who is the doer of miracles.
1. Psalm 22:3
2. Psalm 67:5-7
3. Joshua 6:15-16, 20.
B. Sincere praise has its basis in the Word of God, and the Word is God (John 1:1).
1. Without God’s word, praise is empty noise. It is the Word of God that informs us why God is worthy of praise.
2. The great thing is that when we praise Him with understanding and a sincere heart, it ushers in His presence. (Psalm 22:3)
C. Praise and thanksgiving announce that miracles are coming.
1. Exodus 15:11
2. Matthew 9:27-29 (“Son of David” is a Messianic title. By using it, they acknowledged that they believed He was the Messiah. Their miracle came right afterwards.)
III. What is the believer’s proper response to this revelation about miracles, thanksgiving and praise?
A. Psalm 34:1-3
B. Psalm 42:11
C. Psalm 30:1-4