Giving Thanks to God in Difficult Times
Pastor Tan Thai · Nov 18, 2012
This Thanksgiving 2012 sermon challenges the congregation to give thanks not only in times of blessing but also in hardship and loss. Drawing from the book of Habakkuk, it refutes the prosperity gospel and calls believers to live by faith even when God's purposes are not fully understood.
The sermon opens by asking: when do we give thanks to God? People typically equate God's blessings with material comfort, wealth, health, and happiness. From this starting point, the preacher strongly critiques the 'prosperity gospel' — a false theology teaching that believers will always receive more wealth, health, and peace. He asserts this teaching contradicts Scripture, especially Jesus' words in John 16:33, which confirm that believers will face tribulation in the world.
The life of Moses is cited to illustrate that hardship is not a sign of lost blessing, but rather God's preparation and training of His servants. The prophet Habakkuk is then introduced as a righteous man who boldly questioned God about injustice, violence, and wrongdoing in society (Habakkuk 1:3-4). Even God's own prophet experienced confusion and doubt, showing that wrestling with God in suffering is a universal human experience.
Despite not fully understanding God's purposes, Habakkuk ultimately chose to live by faith according to Habakkuk 2:4. The sermon emphasizes that faith has genuine value only when tested in hardship, when one can no longer rely on personal ability — illustrated by Hebrews 11:1. The story of young Howard Kelly and the kindness of a young woman is used to show that between a good ending lies a long journey of difficulty and perseverance.
The climax of the sermon is Habakkuk 3:17-19, where the prophet declares that even if the fig tree does not blossom, the vine bears no fruit, and all flocks and herds are gone — he will still rejoice in the LORD, because God Himself is his strength. The story of Horatio Spafford, who lost four daughters at sea yet penned 'It Is Well with My Soul,' serves as a powerful real-life testimony of thanksgiving in the midst of profound grief.
The sermon concludes by calling the congregation not only to give thanks for material blessings but to follow the example of Habakkuk and Spafford — choosing to trust and rejoice in God even when circumstances are incomprehensible. Because God Himself is the source of strength for all who place their faith in Him, thanksgiving offered in the depths of suffering stands as the most authentic evidence of genuine faith.