Thankful: Habakkuk praises God in hard times
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. You, like many others, may set aside time on Thursday to share what you’re thankful for and to reflect on God’s blessings. What a great way to point your family and friends around the table (or your social media) to Jesus!
But don’t stop there! An attitude of thanksgiving to God is something that should shine through our lives each and every day— not just on holidays and not even just when things are “good” or “feel blessed.”
Habakkuk was a prophet witnessing utter sin and injustice among God’s people. He cries out to God saying—
Habakkuk 1:2-4 | How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.
Habakkuk paints this picture that perhaps feels similar to the days of Noah, but now it is God’s very own people-the nation of Judah, who are living evil, unjust, and violent lives. In the middle of a stormy time, he knows to God straight to God for help. Habakkuk cries out to God and God replies, though His answer wasn’t what Habakkuk was looking for—
Habakkuk 1:6-8 | I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands. They are notorious for their cruelty
and do whatever they like. Their horses are swifter than cheetahs and fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey.
God foretells to Habakkuk the future destruction of Judah by the invasion of the cruel Babylonians. Clearly this was not the help Habakkuk was asking for! He goes again to God in Habakkuk 1:12-2:1, basically asking God, “How can you let this happen? How can you tolerate the existence of such evil?”
In God’s second response (chapter two), He basically tells Habakkuk that He is in control. The invasion of Babylon will surely come and it will be a crushing time for Judah, but God in His infinite wisdom is still on His throne (2:20).
Habakkuk went to God brokenhearted and received news that was even more devastating. Worst of all, this prophecy was for the future and would feel “slow-coming” (2:3). Habakkuk would live with this heavy burden, knowing what was sure to come. So what does Habakkuk do?
He sings a beautiful prayer (chapter 3), thanking God for who He is and all He had already done. After remembering time after time after time that God rescued His people, he says—
Habakkuk 3:16-19 | I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Basically, Habakkuk says, “God, even though things are hard now and are sure to get much worse, thank you.”
Habakkuk understood David’s song of praise that said—
1st Chronicles 16:34 | Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Despite our circumstances or feelings, God is Always Good, Always Loving, and Always Faithful. And for that, He deserves our thanksgiving, not just this week, but at all times.
1st Thessalonians 5:18 | Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Was it easy for Habakkuk to be thankful and to praise God? Why or why not?
Why was it possible for Habakkuk to praise God, even when things seemed awful? [Hint— what did he spend time remembering?]
What are some things that are easy for you to thank God for?
When is it hard for you to be thankful to God?
What can you learn from Habakkuk’s example?