David Meece - Things You Never Gave Me Lyrics
Lyrics
I had a lot of dreams that never came true,
Things I could have done, but never got the chance to do,
When I couldn't see the path of the storm your wisdom wouldn't let me go that way,
And it broke my heart, but now my heart can say...
Thankyou for the times you said no,
Thankyou for the doors that you closed,
All the ways you never let me go, and the things you never gave me,
So many times I didn't understand, and wouldn't let you take my hand,
Now I want to fall at your feet and thank you for the things you never gave to me.
When I wanted less than what you had in mind,
When I wanted more than I could handle at the time,
When I needed you, but turned you away,
You wouldn't let me slip out of your hand,
I just didn't know, but now I understand.
So thankyou for the times you said no,
Thankyou for the doors that you closed,
All the ways you never let me go, and the things you never gave me,
So many times I didn't understand, wouldn't let you take my hand,
But now I want to fall at your feet and thank you for the things you never gave to me.
Looking back across the years, I can see beyond the tears, and thankyou, thankyou.
Thankyou for the...
Thankyou for the times you said no,
Thankyou for the doors that you closed,
All the ways you never let me go, and the things you never gave me,
So many times I didn't understand, and wouldn't let you take my hand,
And now I want to fall at your feet and thank you for the things you never gave to me.
Times you said no,
Thankyou for the doors that you closed,
All the ways you never let me go,
Things you never gave me,
So many times I didn't understand, wouldn't let you take my hand,
But now I want to fall at your feet and thank you for the things you never gave to me.
To me.
Video
Things You Never Gave Me
Meaning & Inspiration
"Things You Never Gave Me," by David Meece, released on January 1, 2002, as part of his album "There I Go Again," stands as a powerful testament to the transformative journey of faith, moving from human desire to divine understanding. The song delves into the often-challenging experience of unfulfilled dreams and closed doors, ultimately leading to a profound sense of gratitude for God's sovereign wisdom. It articulates a universal human struggle: the natural inclination to lament what was desired but not received, only to discover in hindsight that God's denials were, in fact, His most gracious provisions.
The narrative of the song unfolds with a raw honesty, speaking to anyone who has grappled with life's disappointments. The singer initially reflects on "a lot of dreams that never came true" and opportunities missed, acknowledging a deep sense of heartbreak from paths not taken. This initial lament, however, isn't the song's final destination. Instead, it serves as the fertile ground from which a deeper spiritual truth blossoms. The pivotal shift occurs as the lyrics transition from personal regret to a profound realization: "When I couldn't see the path of the storm your wisdom wouldn't let me go that way, and it broke my heart, but now my heart can say..." This marks the song's true essence, revealing how divine wisdom often intervenes, even when it feels like a painful restriction. This mirrors the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which admonishes us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Our limited perspective often fails to grasp the full scope of God's protective hand, a truth that becomes strikingly clear only after navigating life's winding roads.
The central message, expressed with compelling simplicity, is an outpouring of thanksgiving for God's "no." The refrain, "Thankyou for the times you said no, Thankyou for the doors that you closed, All the ways you never let me go, and the things you never gave me," becomes an anthem of enlightened appreciation. It's an acknowledgment that God's plans are far superior to our own, as articulated in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." The song beautifully illustrates the spiritual paradox that sometimes the greatest blessings are the burdens we were spared, the desires ungranted, and the detours we never understood until much later. It points to a God who, in His boundless love, actively shields us from harm, even when our immediate perception frames His intervention as denial. This protective aspect resonates with Jeremiah 29:11, where God declares His plans for us are "to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," even if the path to that future involves redirection.
The lyrics further explore moments of human stubbornness and limited vision: "So many times I didn't understand, and wouldn't let you take my hand." This speaks to the common experience of resisting God's guidance, only to realize the error of our ways through growth and maturity. The image of God not letting the singer "slip out of your hand" beautifully conveys His unwavering faithfulness and constant grip on our lives, echoing John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures us that "no one will snatch them out of my hand." It’s a powerful reminder that even in our resistance, God’s grace is sufficient, and His grip remains firm. The journey from confusion to clarity—"I just didn't know, but now I understand"—is a profound spiritual awakening, leading to a posture of humility and worship. This understanding isn't instantaneous but a byproduct of persistent faith and the unfolding of God's design over time, much like the process described in Hebrews 12:11, where discipline, though painful at the time, "later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The song culminates in a desire to "fall at your feet and thank you for the things you never gave to me," a posture of complete surrender and grateful adoration, acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and protector, worthy of all praise for both what He gives and what He wisely withholds. This sentiment reflects the worship seen in Revelation 4:10, where the elders cast their crowns before the throne, recognizing the sovereignty of God in all things.