SCRIPTURE: Habakkuk 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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 Saviour. [Habbakuk 3:17-18]
Make a list of all the possible bad things you can imagine.
After each statement say, ‘yet I will rejoice in the Lord…’
This does not mean that Habakkuk will not experience fear or grief.
He will, but he will not let them take away his hope in the Lord.
Without hope, even fear and grief are useless.
But the Lord gives hope for a better tomorrow, a time when things will be made right.
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. [John 16:21-22]
Jesus uses a woman in labour to illustrate this.
The expectant mother endures the pain and difficulty by thinking ahead to the time when the child comes, then anguish is replaced by joy as she holds her newborn child.
Similarly, this may be a season of grief, but it will give way to a season of joy!
And when the joy of the Lord is fully revealed, no one will be able to take it away.
For now, like Habakkuk, we live in anticipation of that joy.
Though life and circumstances drag us down, the Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. [Habbakuk 3:19]
This is what hope does, or can do, for you.
You do not need to deny your misery or pain, but every time you think of it, follow it up with a statement of hope and confidence.
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
I am wrestling in my mind with doubt or uncertainty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
I am experiencing the grief of someone very dear that is sick or has died, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
I am worried about the decisions and lifestyles of my child, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
This is not easy, but it is much better than wallowing in despair…
PRAYER:
Lord, I do not have the strength myself to speak these hopeful, joyful words in the midst of my struggle. But You are my strength, I will be joyful in You!
The following words stand out – speak to me –
‘Lord I heard of Your fame.’
‘I stand in awe of Your deeds.’
‘Repeat them in our day.’
‘Remember mercy.’
God came then and showed His glory and splendor and power. His hand was seen as was His power. Even the sun and moon stood still. Our God reigns.
Yet in our trials, in our suffering, in our world today, in our daily struggles, in our lack of vision because the world around us seems to be falling apart, ‘I will wait upon the Lord.’ God is my refuge. He is my ALL in all. He makes me to live each day for Jesus because He is my strength.
Rejoice. The Lord is King! ‘I will be joyful in God my Saviour.’ He makes Life a possibility. He empowers. He strengthens. He is God. GodStrong I am in Him.
LiveStrong!
Though the fig tree shall not blossom,
Neither fruit be in the vine:
Though in vain the olive labors,
And the fruitful fields decline:
Refrain
I will rejoice in the Lord, my Redeemer,
Joyful I’ll trust Him, for He will provide,
Giving me all that I need for my journey;
I will not fear, for He walks by my side.
Though no flocks are in the sheepfold,
Neither cattle in the stalls:
Though the earth is filled with famine,
And no rain from heaven falls:
Refrain
Though my path lies through the valley
Of the shadows, He is near,
For His rod and staff they comfort,
And no evil I shall fear.
Refrain
Though my friends should not receive Him,
Or through sin should prove untrue:
Though the wicked should entice me,
And should persecute me, too:
Refrain