True Thanksgiving (Habakkuk 3:16~19)

True Thanksgiving (Habakkuk 3:16~19)

 

16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

 

 

1. Today is the Sunday of the Feast of Harvest (also known as the Thanksgiving Day of the barley harvest.) Although we no longer adhere to the rules of this day like in the Old Testament, it is still important for us to understand what this day is about and give sincere thanks to our Lord.

 

2. The thanksgiving tendencies of people fall into three categories:

#1. First, there is clear reason to give thanks, and yet they do not. These people are worse than the mindless beasts of the wilderness.

#2. Second, they give thanks only when there is a joyful reason to do so. At all other times, they do not give thanks. Most of us fall under this category. This kind of thanksgiving is merely the bare average.

#3. The third category is the people who give thanks even when there is seemingly nothing to be thankful for.

 

We must not fall into the first category. Falling into the second would make us average, and many would see it as acceptable or even commendable.

 

However, when it comes to giving thanks to God falling into the second category is not enough. True and mature faith requires us to be thankful at all times, regardless of time and circumstance.

 

The prophet Habakkuk was one such person. Habakkuk always gave thanks despite his all difficulties.

 

Today, on the day of the Feast of Harvest, we will reflect on Habakkuk, his thanksgiving, and our own approach to thanksgiving.

 

 

A) Habakkuk’s situation during his time:

1. Verse 16 of today’s scripture says, “16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.”

 

During Habakkuk’s times, there were many wars. As such, circumstances were harsh making it very difficult to give thanks to the Lord. It takes great faith to give thanks and sing praises during a war.

 

In the scripture we see Habakkuk’s “belly trembled…and [his] lips quivered” at hearing the news and rumors of the imminent war. He was terrified.

 

Habakkuk expresses this fear as “rottenness entering his bones,” meaning this fear overwhelmed him, physically and mentally hurting him. Habakkuk was on the verge of collapsing from stress and exhaustion, but he was still able to hear the voice of God and give thanks.

 

Anyone can give thanks under peaceful circumstances. Not everyone can be like Habakkuk.

 

2. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:3-4

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope”

 

In truth, we have no idea what will happen to our health, our businesses, or even our children. But giving thanks first and foremost, regardless of the future outcome, is God’s will for us. If we do so, the Lord will accept us, bless us, and show us miracles.

 

3. Let’s continue to look at verse 17:

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls”

 

At the time Habakkuk had nothing, not even essentials. Figs were a main source of food, grapes were necessary for wine, olives were needed for oil, and the plants of the field was a second source of food. Sheep were used for their meat and wool while cows were used to carry loads. Sheep and cows were also used as sacrifices to God. These things were necessary for one’s daily life but Habakkuk did not have even these.

 

By today’s standards, it would mean that he had no money in the bank, an unstable job, only worn out clothes, and barely scraped by each day. But despite such dire situations, Habakkuk still gave sincere thanks to the Lord.

 

4. About 60 years ago, there were 72 requirements for people to live and of those 18 of them were absolutely necessary. Today there are 500 requirements and 50 of them are considered absolutely necessary.

 

However, if we think about the past, we have to wonder if we are actually happier. We have so much more than we had in the past and yet it is the past we long for. Why is this?

 

It is because true thanksgiving is slowly disappearing. Those with nothing give thanks despite having nothing but those with a lot seek even more and do not give thanks.

 

B) Why We Should Give True Thanksgiving:

1. Verses 18-19 says, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

 

The only reason behind Habakkuk’s sincere thanksgiving was God Himself and the salvation He gave. He did not focus on anything else. Even though he knew of his hardships and had nothing he vowed to find joy in the Lord, praise Him, and give thanks to Him.

 

Our complaints may stem from our hardships and circumstances, but the root of our complaint is because we do not yet fully trust in our Lord. If we truly know Him and fully trust Him then we can give Him thanks no matter our obstacles.

 

2. If at times it feels impossible to give thanks, then we must pray, read Hid Word, and try to understand God. Look back at the salvation He gave us. Think about the grace Jesus’ cross. God accepted us as His children. Think of God’s grace, His greatness, His provision and protection over us, and His power. Think about His power to rule the universe, to control the rain and sun, to give us the Bible and our brothers and sisters in Christ. How amazing is He?

 

When we think about and fully understand these things it is impossible not to give thanks. Habakkuk was able to recognize this and constantly give thanks.

 

Money and health always change. It is never constant. Hence, our thanks should not depend on such things.

 

Job said in Job 1:21, “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

 

With faith like this, thanksgiving overflows. In the end, giving thanks depends on how well we know and trust the Lord.

 

3.It is said that with cats you can do everything right, but one mistake will make the cat turn on you. But with dogs, you can treat it poorly but if you feed it once it will wag its tail and follow you around. The difference lies in what they remember.

 

Dogs only remember the good things while cats only remember the bad.

 

The same is with us. Depending on what we do and do not remember, our decision to complain or give thanks change. Hence, God gave us this day to reflect on how we give thanks.

 

C) Then, how must we spend this day, the Feast of Harvest?

 

1. First, we must give thanks. We must recognize that the abundant barley and harvest is given to us by God and appropriately give Him our abundant thanks.

 

2. Second, we must give thanks to God for providing for us and protecting us for the first half of this year and once again vow to live in His will and Word.

 

3. Third, we must reaffirm our faith in God and to live by Him through all circumstances.

 

4. Fourth, we must actively love our neighbors.

Deuteronomy 16: 11 says, “And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.”

We must rejoice together. When we do so our joy and thanksgiving will bring forth miracles.

 

 

To conclude today’s sermon:

1. The prophet Habakkuk gave thanks through all hardships, even through crippling fear and pain. He gave thanks to the Lord, his savior.

 

2. We all have shortcomings and problems be it money, health, work, family, war, etc. But we cannot solve most of our own problems. only God can solve everything for us.

 

3. Let us take this Sunday, the Feast of Harvest, to truly think about what it means to give true thanks and give thanks to the Lord. Look to our God the Father and give thanks to Him who works for us, who saves us, and who solves our problems.

 

Let us put our faith in God, who has led us through this first half of the year and who will continue to lead us, and follow His will.