Title: Do You Have True Gratitude?
Contents
Is there true gratitude? (Hab 3:16-19)
There are real oil and fake oil in edibles, and in the end, the forced name of pure real sesame oil was created. There are also false thanks, formal thanks, and genuine thanks. The difference between a prison and a monastery, which has in common that they are cut off from the outside world, is the absence of gratitude. Likewise in heaven and hell, there is gratitude in heaven, and instead of gratitude in hell, there are resentments, complaints, and complaints. Through the confession of faith of Prophet Habakkuk shown in today's text, let's examine what true gratitude is and share grace.
Ⅰ. Audit beyond circumstance (16)
“My bowels tremble because I have heard, and my lips tremble at the voice of his voice. I await the day of tribulation when crowds come up against us, and corruption has come in my bones, and my body trembles in my dwelling place.
This verse describes Habakkuk's trembling in fear, because he knew experientially how great the tribulation would be before God's judgment to save Israel from the hand of Chaldeans. Prophet Habakkuk rejoices in times of prosperity and rejoices in times of trouble. True faith must be tested through tribulation. People like Habakkuk, Joseph, Daniel, and Job, through tribulation, became believers who were accepted by God before men. Even if we face tribulation, we are happier than those who do not know God. We, the saints, should not give thanks only when we succeed in business. Be grateful even when you fail. We should be thankful not only when we are healthy, but also when we are sick. This kind of appreciation is a high-level appreciation.
Ⅱ. Gratitude beyond possession (17)
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls.”
Habakkuk had faith in not complaining or complaining even though there were no crops due to poor farming and no livestock in the barns. It is not easy to be grateful when everything is lost. We believers should live a life of gratitude that transcends possessions with or without produce, with or without income. Even the non-owner should be grateful. Those who give thanks when they have nothing are truly grateful. Giving thanks for what I have is a conditional thanks. Anyone can do this kind of gratitude. Even if I don't have anything, I can be grateful when the person I am grateful for has a lot. Giving thanks in the midst of losing possessions is true gratitude.
Ⅲ. Thanksgiving for God (18)
“I will rejoice in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
Ⅳ. Giving thanks through offerings (2 Corinthians 9:7)
“Each one should do just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver 8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things you will always have all sufficiency, so that you abound in every good work. to do it.”
We must thank God for saving us from our sins, freeing us from the evil Satan, and freeing us to lead a life of faith and the grace of salvation. Where the heart is, the material will also be given. When you donate material things, not grudgingly or under compulsion, but willingly and joyfully, you will receive God's love and you will receive abundant grace and enjoy it. When we willingly and willingly give to God, we will receive abundantly in all things. The secret to receiving abundant grace and being generous in all things is to give to God with a joyful heart. Giving to God is accumulating my wealth in the heavenly storehouse.
This year is more difficult than usual. But with the living God there is no depression or depression. God loves a cheerful giver and pours out abundantly. I hope that you will receive abundant grace by giving thanks to God in this way, and that you will live an abundant life in all things.