Habakkuk

October 4

Habakkuk

"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. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NIV)

 When everything is going well it is easy to praise God for His blessings. But Habakkuk is not speaking of a time of prosperity. He is talking about a time of crop failure of missing livestock. The cupboards are bare and there is nothing in the fields. In the midst of the emptiness, Habakkuk rejoices in the Lord.

 Laura Story sings the song blessings whose chorus goes; “'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops; What if Your healing comes through tears; What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near; What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.” The trials of life do not necessarily mean God has forsaken us. Often in the midst of the trials is when we see God the clearest.

 If we believe we only see God when everything seems to be going our way; when the harvest is plentiful and the barns are full; we miss understand God’s strength. Often His strength is revealed when we are at our weakest point. His grace is revealed when we are against the wall with no way out. When we think we cannot take another step, God enables us to go to new heights.

Trials in life can bring us to a point where we want to give up on life, but if we will open our eyes and look to the Lord we may see light where we thought there was only darkness. Joy is not dependent on our situation; joy comes from knowing God is in control and works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)  Do not get discouraged, rejoice in the Lord.