Joy in the Tough Times

17Though 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,

18yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Thoughts: We do not follow God simply because everything is going well. In fact, it is in the tough times that we often experience his help and learn to trust and rely on Him.  It is in the valley of the shadow of death that we learn His rod and staff comforts us.  Habakkuk was facing the effects of an army coming through and destroying the country.  He decided he would praise God even if things were desperate.  It is a little bit like the marriage vows- for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.  Habakkuk affirms that God gives Him strength and Habakkuk believes God will save him out of this mess.  Joy does not depend on circumstances, but on our anchor standing firm.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful to you in the good and bad times. Let me remember you are God even in the worst of circumstances.  

1-14-15 Belief bringing Joy and strength

16I heard and my heart pounded,

my lips quivered at the sound;

decay crept into my bones,

and my legs trembled.

Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity

to come on the nation invading us.

17Though 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,

18yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

Thoughts: The highest belief in God does not waiver in hard times.  Faith enables us to trust in God even when times are hard.  For Habakkuk- the people of God- the only ones who could tell the world about the Lord- are destroyed and taken into exile.  The enemies of God's people destroyed their cities, their crops, their wealth- but not their faith.  The beauty of faith is that when everything on the exterior is destroyed, there can still be hope.   Though we may not be rich in this life, there can still be meaning and strength in life.  The Lord is our strength even if the blessings of the Lord are hard to see.  There is even joy despite out comforts being gone.  

Prayer: Help me to trust in you with strength even in the tough times of life- when my comforts and loves are swept away.