Title Song of Thanks-Hab 3:16~19
Contents
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, who emphasizes positive thinking, was traveling on a train once. A couple sat down on the opposite side of the table. But as soon as she sits down, she starts complaining. They keep saying that the seats are uncomfortable, the seats are dirty and not cleaned properly, and the crew is unfriendly. As time passed, we started to greet each other. The husband introduces himself. “I am a lawyer. And my wife is in the manufacturing industry.” Phil asks. "What does your wife make?" The husband then replies with a smile. "She is a manufacturer who makes complaints."
Christianity is a religion of thanksgiving. There can be no life of faith without gratitude. Worship without thanksgiving is a false act. Prayer without thanksgiving is vain. Praise without gratitude is just a song. A gift without thanks is a formality. Service without gratitude is just charity. There can be no love without gratitude. Gratitude and trust are in direct proportion. The Bible commands us to 'give thanks'. Colossians 2:7. "Stand steadfast in the faith and overflow with thanksgiving." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 5:20 says, "Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Gratitude is like a thermometer of faith. When the gratitude index rises, faith matures. When the gratitude index falls, the level of faith decreases.
The prophet who proclaimed the text was Habakkuk. “God, why are the unrighteous prospering?” It begins with complaints and dissatisfaction. Soon, God grants him enlightenment. Then Habakkuk overflowed with gratitude, and this is the text of the song. The word 'thanks' does not appear in the text. However, it is rated as the most beautiful song of thanks. This teaches us that it is much better to say thanks a lot and not actually say a word of thanks than to not have a grateful heart, but to be overflowing with gratitude. The condition that Habakkuk was thankful for was not physical prosperity. It wasn't because the farming was good or the business was good. I wasn't thankful that my wish came true. The conditions of gratitude have changed. Before I realized the truth, I was thankful for worldly values. But after realizing the truth, everything changed to thanksgiving. What is Habakkuk's realization of singing a song of thanks?
First of all you are my joy
British Emperor Lewis passed a water mill in a village while he was examining the civil affairs. At that moment, a cheerful singing voice is heard from the water mill. The emperor stopped and listened to the song before entering the water mill. An old man who seems to be the owner of a mill is singing happily while working. The emperor asks the old man to play the song again. The old man sings a song with an expression saying, "You can do anything." “Even if the world doesn’t envy me, I am not envious of the people of the world either. When I think of God’s great grace, the song of hallelujah comes automatically.” The emperor, who was listening to the hymn, said: "Sing the second verse like this. Even though the world doesn't envy me, the British emperor Louise envys me. When I think of the love of the cross, the hymn of hallelujah comes naturally." It is the joy of pleasing God to envy even with the power of the ruler, the greatest power in the world. But this joy is not forced. It cannot be created by the comedy or pleasure of the world. True joy comes from God. It is possible when we receive the pleasure of God.
This is verse 17 of the text. “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, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. ". The absence of fig fruits, grape fruits, olive fruits, grains, sheep and cattle means that there are no conditions to sustain life and life. But the prophet Habakkuk cries out. “I will rejoice in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” The word 'because of the Lord' here means 'in the Lord'. It means that no tribulation or pain can take away the joy in God. Habakkuk sings that he will rejoice in God. Even if we lose everything, we want to see the joy of looking at God and singing a song of thanks.
Second, you are my salvation.
Third, you are my strength.
This is verse 19. 'The Lord GOD is my strength,' stresses the prophet Habakkuk. 'Strength' here is a verb with the meaning of 'strong, strong' in the original word 'Hail'. God guides the saints with strong grace and blessings so that they do not lack. Since God Himself is the strength, He allows us to serve only God, regardless of the circumstances. And he made the prophet's feet like deer so he could move quickly even in a dangerous situation. He made it possible to travel safely in high places. In the end, Habakkuk was able to thank God, who became his strength, beyond his circumstances by believing in God. Even if everything disappears, I came to believe in a God who will not disappear forever. Therefore, the problem is not the type of environment, but the ability to overcome it. Habakkuk believed in the power of God, so he began to sing thanks to God. In the end, we must understand that gratitude is not a matter of the environment, but a matter of faith.
Thank you, everything will be fine. Thank you for being healthy. We have vidolphins in our hearts that are 4,000 times stronger than endorphins. Vidolphin also beats cancer. However, it is said that Vidolphin is made when there is gratitude for the Almighty. Please always sing a song of thanks like Habakkuk. You can start with grumbling and complaining, but I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become all the blessed saints who live by singing songs of thanks because you believe in the God who gives joy, the God who gives salvation, and the God who is the strength.