I Just Want To Thank You, God!

Of the 102 Pilgrims who made it to America from England in 1620. 56 were lost due to starvation, disease and the ensuing cold winter. On a brighter note, the following year, 46 Pilgrims and 91 Indians met to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and for the preservation of their lives. Let's face it, those folks had every reason to be depressed and discouraged, but they were thankful despite all that had happened!

In the Bible, the book of Habakkuk was written against a backdrop of apostasy, judgment and unbelievable hardship. It was written during a time when Jehoiakim the king of Judah led the people back into idolatry and away from the Lord.

As a result, God is preparing to judge the nation. Habakkuk is having trouble understanding why God would use a heathen nation like Babylon to punish His people. He cannot understand why God doesn’t just purge their sins and draw them back to Himself and to righteousness.

If you stop and think about it for a moment, you'll see that Habakkuk is a lot like Job. He argues his case, but in the end, he realizes that God is not to be worshiped merely because of the temporal, material and physical blessings of life, but simply for Who He is.

Thus, he ends his words with a song of thanksgiving to God for Who He is and for the unchanging benefits that belong to those who know Him! Habakkuk had reason to dispair, but he chose to be thankful instead!

The keywords of these verses (Habakkuk 3:17-19) are “although” and “yet”. Habakkuk is saying, “I sure don’t understand all that is happening, but I am going to thank God anyhow!” Using these verses as a backdrop, I'd like to show you that regardless of how things may look on the surface, we have a reason to thank God for all. Let's continue...

First, thank God, His sovereignty never changes (Habbakkuk 3:17-18a)! We all know that in our lives circumstances can and do change. This is very clear to everyone. But, God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17)!

Need further proof? Look at Egypt as they experienced 7 years of plenty, and 7 years of famine. How about Job’s life; the Great Depression; even our own economy today. The lesson learned from this is: I may not be able to rejoice in my situation, but I can always rejoice in my Sovereign!

Looking back to Habakkuk, yes, he is painting a bleak portrait of the future, but he looks away to a God Who is always the same! Bible definitions tell us that “Lord” = “Jehovah” – “The Self-existent; eternal; changeless; covenant-keeping God” – “the I AM”. The One we can depend on in desperate time; we can trust in troublesome time; we can believe during unbelievable times; we can lean on Him at all times!

We may not always know what He is doing, (Isaiah 55:8-9); but we can always trust Him to do what is right, (Genesis 18:25). We may not can always understand His plan, but we can trust Him to have the best plan (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28).

No matter how things may appear, God is still in control. He still knows best and He always does what is right. If I can believe this, then 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 becomes a possibility in my life. He will always be God; therefore we can be thankful anyhow!

Secondly, thank God, His salvation never ceases! I always keep in mind that while things might get bad in this life, they do not affect my salvation! Salvation does not depend on things going well. It rests solely on the grace and power of God! Life is uncertain at best, (e.g., one phone call or doctor’s visit can change everything), but salvation is eternal in nature.

The word “salvation” applies to more than just the soul. The word also means “deliverance and rescue”. That reminds me that this world is not my home. He is coming to rescue and deliver His children one day! Things may get bad here, but this world is not our home, (Philippians 3:20). We are headed to a better land, (Revelation 21-22). Praise God, the Lord has been good here, but the best is yet to come, (1 Peter 1:3-4)!

As I mentioned above, and feel worth repeating here, things may get bad in my life, but they cannot take away my salvation (John 10:28; Hebrews 13:5). God’s children are saved “to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25). And let me tell you, that is as saved as you can get! Sure, you may lose everything here, but I can’t lose Him or what He has given me (e.g., Job and his hedge). He can’t deny us (Isaiah 49:14-16). God’s salvation ever ceases; therefore we can be thankful no matter what!

Last, but not least, thank God, His strength never collapses! The dictionary tells us that “strength” = “ability." But, our strength does not lie within us. The Lord is our strength (Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 40:31; Philippians 4:13). When we are unable to stand, He enables us. When we can’t go on, He helps us. When we are in the deep valley; He leads us to higher ground.

“Hind’s (gazelles') feet” speaks of grace, agility and swiftness. “High places” speaks of the mountain tops where the deer is free from the dangers found below. Habakkuk is telling us that God enables him to rise above his circumstances and that God gives him the strength to stand above the battle and to enjoy precious freedom in the Lord. In other words, he is saying, “God turns my doubts to shouts! And He gives me peace in midst of my problems!”

That is what God did for Job (Job 1:20-21) and Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9), and that is what He can and will do for you. God enables His children to stand when their own strength fails; therefore we can be thankful no matter what life throws our way!

In conclusion, during his trials, Habakkuk learned a valuable lesson.
a. He learned a lesson that all of God’s children need to learn.
b. He learned that God is both our salvation and our song (Isaiah 12:1-2; Exodus 15:2; Psalm 118:4).
c. He learned that he had nothing to fear from life, but that he had a real reason to be thankful in spite of everything!

Therefore, I leave you with this. If you are saved, you possess every reason to be thankful that Habakkuk possessed. So regardless of what you might be facing today, look to God, lean on God and be thankful for everything!

Prayer:

For all You have given,
Thank You God.

For all You have withheld,
Thank You God.

For all You have withdrawn,
Thank You God.

For all You have permitted,
Thank You God.

For all You have prevented,
Thank You God.

For all You have forgiven me,
Thank You God.

For all You have prepared for me,
Thank You God.

For the death You have chosen for me,
Thank you God.

For the place you are keeping for me in heaven,
Thank You God.

For having created me to love You for eternity,
Thank You God.

Have a blessed day,

Mary Beth