Abraham thanked God for a son he couldn’t see, and that gratitude became the miracle.
Romans 4:17 — Calling Things That Be Not As Though They Were
“God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” — Romans 4:17 (KJV)
Thanksgiving First. Then the Miracle.
Abraham did not wait to feel grateful. He thanked God before the evidence arrived. That is not wishful thinking. That is faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When you thank God in advance, you are not pretending — you are agreeing with heaven. At a funeral in a small village called Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days. Instead of the usual gentle words, before Jesus ever walked to the tomb, He prayed something no one expected to hear: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me” (John 11:41). He thanked God for hearing a prayer He had not yet finished praying.
He gave thanks while the tomb was still sealed, while Lazarus was still dead, while the mourners were still weeping. Only after He gave thanks did He call Lazarus forth. Thanksgiving first. Then the miracle. Abraham called a nation into existence before a son was born. Jesus called a dead man back to life after He had already thanked God the man would rise. Neither man had a normal-looking reason for hope — Abraham was decades past the age of having children, Lazarus was four days past the point of any natural recovery. God chose the two most hopeless-looking circumstances available, so that no one watching could later say the thanksgiving simply matched what was already likely to happen anyway.
What This Means For You Today
Right now, identify one thing you have been begging God for. Stop begging. Start thanking. Open your mouth and say, “Father, I thank You — it is done.” Notice the order in both stories: thanksgiving comes first, the manifestation of God’s power follows. Most of us pray like beggars, pleading and listing reasons God should intervene. Jesus approached the Father from a position of confident expectation instead, because He already knew the Father’s heart.
A Practical Step
First, name the exact thing you have been pleading for on repeat. Second, today, replace the pleading with thanksgiving spoken out loud — not once, but as your new way of praying about it going forward. Third, remember Bethany: the miracle followed the thanksgiving, not the other way around, so do not wait for the tomb to open before you start giving thanks.
Key Takeaway
Your gratitude before you see it is not denial — it is declaration. You are calling those things that be not as though they were, because the God who cannot lie has already spoken.
Today’s Prayer
Father, we thank You right now — not when we see it, not when we feel it, but because You said it, and that is enough. Teach us to pray the way Jesus prayed at that tomb, giving thanks before the stone ever moves. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.
This devotional is based on Day 8 of our Gratitude Devotional Series — watch the full short-form video, Thank God Before You See It, on YouTube for a powerful reflection to start your day. Watch today’s devotional video on YouTube →