Rejoice!

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. - Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV

This is an amazing statement of faith by Habakkuk. He’s looking to God alone for his source of joy and salvation, regardless of his circumstances. And if all those things that he lists did happen, circumstances would be very bad indeed. There wouldn’t be anything to eat. Farmers and ranchers would be facing devastating loss of income. People who work to get food to the market would lose jobs. Everybody would be impacted in some way.

Despite this, Habakkuk chooses to keep rejoicing in the Lord.

And this isn’t just a “what if” scenario to Habakkuk. The nation of Judah was very far from God at this point, steeped in idolatry and corruption. The Lord told Habakkuk that He was going to allow Babylon, an even more corrupt nation, to defeat and carry away the people in Jerusalem.

Things were going to get very bad.

But God also promised that He would bring judgement on the corrupt nation of Babylon. His promises led Habakkuk to reflect on God’s character and how He had always kept His promises, resulting in his commitment to trust God no matter what.

So applicable today! So much in the world is just in a mess and I can get discouraged if I dwell on the injustices I see. But God is very aware of everything going on in the world; He will take care of things in His perfect timing. So, like Habakkuk, I will choose to rejoice in the Lord and in my Savior Jesus.

Think About: What hinders you from rejoicing in the Lord?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. - Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV