BY JACK WARD
PASTOR, TOMAHAWK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Habakkuk 3:17-19: “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: 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.”
One hundred two Pilgrims landed in America in 1620. Fifty-six died due to starvation, disease and the cold winter. In 1621, 46 Pilgrims and 91 Indians met to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and for the preservation of their lives. Those folks had every reason to be depressed and discouraged, but they were thankful anyhow.
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 was preparing to judge the nation. Habakkuk had trouble understanding why God would use a heathen nation like Babylon to punish His people. He could not understand why God didn’t just purge their sins and draw them back to Himself and to righteousness.
Habakkuk was a lot like Job. He argued his case, but ultimately, he realized that God was 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 fret, but he chose to be thankful instead!
The keywords of these verses are “although” and “yet.” Habakkuk is saying, “I sure don’t understand all that is happening, but I am going to thank God anyhow!”
Circumstances change; God never does. Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord, I change not.” Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.”
I may not be able to rejoice in my situation, but I can always rejoice in my sovereign Lord. Sovereign means supreme power or authority. No one is greater, no one has more power and no one compares to our God.
A recent counseling magazine had an article that said, “It is good for people to go to church.” It went on to say, “There is nothing that helps people more than to go to church and realize that God loves them and can help them. What 12-step programs and counseling cannot do, going to church can do by helping people to realize that they belong to a just and loving creator God who welcomes them into His arms. Going to church never harms anyone but can only help.”
Wow! Isn’t that what the Bible has been telling us? Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” When life is tough, when life gets hard, thank God anyhow.
Hear Pastor Jack’s sermons and get sermon outlines and articles at www.tomahawkmbc.com.