PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Habakkuk 3
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Habakkuk is struggling with WHY God allows suffering and evil (1:1-4,12-2:1).
He is reminded him that God is God, and will hold all people accountable.
Habakkuk responds with this amazing prayer of faith.
‘No matter what happens, I will keep on rejoicing in the Lord’.
Like Paul and Silas in chains praising God (Acts 16:25, Philippians 4:4).
Even if all hope is gone, and I face death, “I will be joyful in the Lord.”
History has been filled with low points, but good has eventually triumphed.
Not even death can steal this hope, because God has overcome death.
One day we will see how all things – even bad – worked together for good.
Right now I am trying to read these verses with my own worse case scenarios.
If everything goes wrong for me in 2023, can I be joyful in God my Saviour?
PRAYER
Lord, I admit that my faith is not this joyful. Thank you for the reminder that though I have trouble in the world, you have overcome the world!
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;” I love this verse and it calls me to look beyond the mess and injustice of today to look where my strength and hope comes from. Having seen abject poverty and people dying because of disease and sickness – especially little children – one can lose hope. We seek solutions and work for them – but ultimately our strength and hope is in the Lord! Bringing help and through bring hope in Jesus! That encourages me to carry on! Do
The joy of the Lord God is my strength. As I stand on the threshold of a new year I need to go forward in that power as He continues to guard and guide me as I walk in that ‘SonShine.’ As I see this world of trouble and sorrow, going its own way without the Lord, serving self and Satan, my hope is in the King of kings for He has overcome. He has promised for this is His world and He is its Ruler and He will one day bring it to conclusion. My God reigns.
1 How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him
Who brings good news,good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming
News of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!
Chorus:
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
2 He had no stately form;
He had no majesty,
That we should be
drawn to Him.
He was despised,
and we took no account of Him,
Yet now He reigns
With the Most High. [Chorus]
3 Out of the tomb He came
With grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so see here His hands,
His feet, His side.
Yes, we know
He is alive. [Chorus]