Our Duty

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:Yet Iwill rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab.3:17-18

The verse above mirrors ‘Dutiful Thanksgiving’. Giving thanks to God in spite of your feelings, experiences, or what people say because He is altogether good. It is recognizing that God is Supreme and it is in His character to be good.  It is acknowledging that even though our walls are crashing down, God has not changed and He is worthy of praise. While pleasurable thanksgiving is good, anybody can give it. Dutiful thanksgiving is usually done and sustained by people who have a covenant with God. Salvation is a covenant with God. These people can consistently say, like the writer in Habakkuk 3, even though the fig tree does not blossom; even though I am childless; even when I don’t have any income; even though there are challenges here; and even though I owe so much. I will yet praise and bless Him. It is dutiful thanksgiving that separates you from the ordinary person. A dutiful person goes further than the spontaneous person. There are things you do out of duty, like parenting, you cannot choose to be a father only when your children are obedient. Or be a husband only when there is peace in your home. It’s not every time you feel like thanking God. However, when you don’t feel like giving thanks, that is when you should give thanks the most. You just have to thank God because He is God and you know He is causing all things to work out for good.

Prayer: Father, I will give You thanks in every circumstance and through every season of my life. I will praise and magnify You regardless of what I feel, what I have, and where I am. I lift up my hands to You Lord in praise morning, noon and night in Jesus name, Amen!