Much has been said about the challenges that our world has faced during this Covid-19 impacted year. As we approach Thanksgiving Day 2020 it is hard for many to count their blessings when so much has been lost. The list of events, family gatherings and opportunities that did not happen this year can be a large one:

• Senior proms
• In person graduations
• Family events such as birthdays, weddings, reunions etc.
• Summer travel/vacations
• Lost employment for family & friends
• 2020 Congress
• Commissioning without family attending
• Summer camps closed
• Limited opportunities to worship in corps chapels and churches
• We each have items that we could add to this list

As I have been contemplating our present realities in advance of preparing for celebrating a dedicated time of Thanksgiving, I was once again drawn to the short but powerful Old Testament book of Habakkuk.  As the Communicator’s Commentary shares;

“…there are a number of reasons why Habakkuk, obscure and small as it is may be, should be lifted up to the attention of the church at this time. The reasons are: pastoral, theological, apologetical, and spiritual. The pastoral reasons take us into the study and the prayer closet where we ask over and over again, ‘How long, O Lord? How long?’ ‘Why? O Why?’”.

Considering the intense fears and realities that Habakkuk and his people were facing, this man of God “teaches us how to rejoice when the lid is blown off everything…”. A study of this book reveals a major truth of the Bible as found in Hab. 2:4, “The just shall live by faith”.

So once again, when faced with some hard challenges, we are called to remember that our Lord is faithful. He walks with us through every step of the journey. His abiding presence brings us peace, joy, and a deep sense of thanksgiving to our lives.

In closing, please read the beautiful affirmation found in this powerful book of the Bible:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

Father God, please keep us mindful of all we have to be thankful and joyful for during these days.

Amen

prepared by Lt. Colonel James LaBossiere, Secretary for Program, USA East