In Everything, Give Thanks And Rejoice

Some have queried whether it is okay to give thanks to God when things go south. Well, today’s Bible verse for meditation evidently supports an attitude of gratitude and joy in all situations.

Among other biblical instances, Habakkuk’s story clearly illustrates what God expects from us. The prophet had been to his fig plantation and found that the trees had failed to blossom. Moving to the vine and olive sections, he met pretty same condition, namely that none of them bore any fruit. Then he crossed over to his livestock farm only to find the flock cut off and the stalls empty of herd (Habakkuk 3:17). To smile in that kind of situation would certainly be pretty difficult.

But instead of wallowing in sorrow and complaining, Habakkuk did what most people would not do in the circumstance. He lifted up his voice in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. He began to rejoice in the God of his salvation as a sign of his complete trust in God to handle the situation for him (Habakkuk 3:18). By doing so, he was able to draw strength from the Lord to generate adequate spiritual and physical stamina to stand through the challenges.

Friends, please understand that he who gives thanks and rejoices when he has no reason to, will yet have many reasons to be thankful and to rejoice in time to come. Habakkuk’s story had a happy ending as the Lord made him to walk in high places (Habakkuk 3:19). As you take the path of gratitude and rejoicing, may the Lord cause all things to end well for you.