Thanksgiving at Christmas
By Tony Evans
One of my favorite books in the Old Testament is the book of Habakkuk. I’m especially drawn to it as we enter the Christmas season. Christmas is a time for being thankful as we remember that Jesus was born to be our Savior, and that whatever challenges or confusion we might face in our lives, we can be thankful for God’s gift to us.
PHOTO: Jonathan Borbo / Unsplash
The prophet Habakkuk didn’t understand what God was up to or why He was taking so long to fix the terrible situations that God’s people were facing. Those who have been part of God’s family for a while know that figuring out what God is doing can sometimes be very challenging. And isn’t the time we are living in now more than a little confusing?
Many of us today might feel like he did. We just can’t figure out what God is up to.
Like many of us today, Habakkuk was confused. He was asking: Why God? Why this? Why now? What are You up to? Many of us today might feel like he did. We just can’t figure out what God is up to. I recently had a member of my congregation approach me and complain that “God seems so unfair.” There seemed no solution for what he was going through. And this is exactly how Habakkuk felt.
But the last three verses of Habakkuk show that he found a way to live with his uncertainty:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines;
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food;
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold,
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exalt in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.”
(Habakkuk 3:17-19)
Habakkuk was thankful in the midst of all his questions.
Habakkuk was thankful in the midst of all his questions. He praised God despite his confusion. In this Christmas season, let us remember to always give thanks to God for the gifts He has given. For He is at work even when we cannot see it. We can find joy by trusting Him in every circumstance.
The above devotion was originally published at Tony Evans — The Urban Alternative (tonyevans.org).
Tony Evans is one of more than 70 Christian leaders whose faith content is available through syndication at Think Eternity.
Learn more about Pastor Tony Evans: Bio