The message was brought by Jimmy Gross.
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
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.
When we're down and out we forget to give thanks, but God is still God. At the first Thanksgiving the harvest was good; many harvests have come since. We have more food than we know what to do with. It's not then to give thanks, but everyday. The Pilgrims gave thanks even after they lost half of their harvest. Habakkuk vowed to be thankful even in distress.
You have a cold? You could have the flu. Be thankful. Remember the sunsets and sunrises we've seen. Be thankful. How can we give thanks in trying times? When provisions change, God doesn't. We can count on that. What stood at the beginning still stands and always will.
In verse 17 the prophet says the blossoms nor the fruit came. The fields gave no harvest. There was no meat….then he said "yet I will rejoice int he Lord." Are things not looking good? Praise God anyway. We forget about the small things God gives while looking at the big things too much. Be thankful anyway.
Egypt had seven bad years. Job had everything; he followed God but still lost all he had…all but God. So often we wonder how we'll get by. Even looking back at the Great Depression we see that God pulled us through to the next level. Job lost his health. God was still God. Our last and only hope is Jesus Christ. Always turn to Him, even in the bleakest of times. While in his suffering, Habakkuk rejoiced in his salvation.
Everything about us is fragile. Life is uncertain. Will we be alive? Only God knows. Things are here today and could be gone tomorrow. Don't look at the past; we must look forward. For all that is taken, heaven is ahead. John 14 tells us that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. There is no other way there but by Jesus. Jesus died and on the third day He arose. He makes intercession for us now. We should be thankful that Jesus gave His life. He made salvation simple for us. Troubles? Trials? The Lord is our strength and shield. The best is yet to come.
In verse 19 he says our feet will be swift like hind's feet and we'll walk on high places. There is always hope. God is always up to the occasion. He wants to hear from us.
Be thankful everyday. Blessings come and go, and we don't even realize them. We miss blessings when this happens. Be a blessing. In every thing give thanks..anyhow.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 