There is a difference between worship and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is when we name or thank God for what He has done and the things in our lives that God has given us. It’s when we name our blessings. This is a good thing for us to do. But that is not what worship is. Worship is when we name who God is and praise Him for who He is. Thanksgiving is about what God has done; worship is about who God is. Today, in Habakkuk, the prophet says even if these things do not happen, he will praise God. That is worship. God is holy, He is love, He is peace, He is all these things, and we worship Him because of who He is. Worship is not tied to circumstance. So, yes, we should thank God for what He has done. But let us also worship God for who He is.

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Good morning. It’s a wonderful Friday, and it’s great to be here with you today as we conclude our brief journey through Habakkuk. Today, we’ll focus on the final three verses of Habakkuk, Chapter 3. These verses serve as a completion of the prayer that Habakkuk began in our previous session.

These verses encapsulate a powerful and beautiful message about the essence of worship. Habakkuk expresses a profound declaration of faith and trust in God, regardless of circumstances. Despite the absence of visible blessings—no figs, no fruit, no produce, no flocks, or herds—Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in the Lord and exult in the God of his salvation.

This passage highlights a crucial distinction between worship and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving involves expressing gratitude for what God has done for us—thanking Him for blessings, family, friends, and salvation. It’s an essential aspect of prayer and our relationship with God. However, worship or adoration goes beyond thanksgiving. It is about praising God for who He is, not merely for what He has done.

In seminary, I learned the importance of this distinction when leading public prayers. As a preacher, the two most significant parts of worship for me are presiding over the sacraments—communion and baptism—and the pastoral prayer. The pastoral prayer is a moment where the pastor intercedes on behalf of the congregation, lifting their concerns and praises to God. This prayer always includes adoration, a time to worship God for His inherent attributes—His holiness, love, grace, and kindness—independent of our current circumstances.

Habakkuk exemplifies this kind of worship. He praises God not for what He has done, but for who He is. Even when everything seems bleak, Habakkuk declares his trust and joy in the Lord. “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights.” This statement reflects a deep, unwavering faith that is not contingent on external situations but is rooted in the character and faithfulness of God.

We must ensure that our relationship with God is not transactional. Our worship should not depend solely on what God does for us. While it’s good to thank God for His blessings, our worship should be grounded in His unchanging nature. God is worthy of praise in good times and bad, on the mountaintop and in the valley.

Our circumstances may change; we may face seasons of grief, stress, or pain. But even in those times, God remains worthy of our praise. As Daniel stated, “Even if He does not save me, I will still worship.” This sentiment echoes through Psalm 23: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”

We can praise God in times of triumph and trial because His goodness and mercy endure forever. He is our salvation, our strength, and our peace. Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. These truths about God’s character are the foundation of our worship.

Today, let’s ground our hope and worship in who God is, not just in our circumstances. Habakkuk’s message is timeless and relevant, reminding us to trust and rejoice in God regardless of what we face.

I hope you’ve enjoyed our study of Habakkuk. On Monday, we’ll begin exploring the book of Zephaniah. We’ll start with Zephaniah Chapter 1. Have a wonderful weekend, and if you’re in the Madison area, we invite you to join us for a combined worship service at St. Matthews this Sunday at 10:30 AM. Have a great day, a restful weekend, and we’ll see you Monday morning.