Giving Thanks in the Dark

“When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.
⁸ “Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.
⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”
Jonah 2:7-9
 
At this time of year, as we focus on Thanksgiving there is a temptation to embrace nostalgic images of happy families gathered around tables covered in delicious foods. Certainly, at my house we are already planning, reviewing recipes and assigning who will bring what for the feast.
 
Here at the Ranch, we are about to have our special Thanksgiving meal tomorrow night. We always have a campus wide celebration before the students go on break for the holiday. It will be a wonderful meal, and the students and staff will be given the opportunity to come forward and publicly share what they are thankful for. It is always a moving thing to hear the testimonies.
 
The Bible gives instructions regarding both fasting and feasting. Clearly both are part of God’s plan. Yet when the subject is giving thanks, we tend to associate that with our feelings when “times are good.”
 
Jonah was giving thanks while inside the belly of the great fish. He demonstrates the importance of giving thanks in the dark. He did not wait until he was thrown up onto the shore. It had to be dark and smelly in there, but Jonah gave thanks.
 
He reviewed the fact that despite the consequences of his disobedience God had rescued him from drowning when he could not save himself. He had confidence that God would not only preserve his life but would restore the opportunity for him to make sacrificial worship to God. He looked forward to a future that would transcend his present circumstances. His thanksgiving was based on God’s salvation.
 
This pattern is instructive and not isolated to this one story. We all need to be faithful in giving thanks when times are dark.
 
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,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
 
I don’t know how your holidays are looking. I don’t know if you are feeling great or if you are in a dark place. I do know that Jonah was right when he declared, “Salvation comes from the LORD.” Therefore, we give thanks!