Hard Times, Good Times, Uncertain Times - "Rejoice In the Lord" - Always

Today's Focus Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19  and "Cross the Bridge Daily Evotionals" with Pastor David McGee

Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

"Cross the Bridge Daily Evotionals"

Nothing but God - Thursday, July 11th 2013

Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
NKJV

After several complaints to God and three chapters later, the prophet Habakkuk comes to an amazing revelation. In his brokenness, he finally realized that God is enough. In His song of prayer to the Lord, he writes of what is to come for the land of Judah. No figs, no wine, no oil, no food, nothing was left all because of their sin. Yet, when faced with the reality of these things, he says something so profound... "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord."

Imagine friend. You're going to barely be able to feed yourself and your family and in the midst of that fear you are filled with the joy of the Lord. This is not a fictional occurrence. This is God at work. His mercies are new every morning. Each breath we take is a blessing from God, but there's more. In His great love, He sent His Son to die for our sins. We can now be forgiven not because we deserve it, but because God desires to show mercy and declare forgiveness. This is the God that Habakkuk clung to in those hard times. This is why he was able to say, "I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Life Lesson: The mercies of God are evident all around us if we take the time to notice them.