YET, I WILL REJOICE
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
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; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk was a champion for the nation of Israel. He loved the nation and He loved the God of the nation, Jehovah. He voices his contempt for the enemy and complains to God of the injustice of the wicked having any victory over the wicked. I admire his zeal and his willingness to face God with his complaint. He was loyal, brave, and up front. The only problem, He wasn't God and it wasn't his call.
Think about your own life. How many times have you said, "God is on my side"? I pay my tithes. I attend church weekly. I love the poor and the needy. I don't cuss. I don't chew and I don't go with girls who do. God is on my side. Really? I'm not trying to discourage you from trusting in the Lord, rather to examine your heart and make sure you fall on the side of the right. Our motto should be, "I am on the Lord's side".
Habakkuk complained about the injustice to the house of Israel but God showed him who was in charge and struck fear in the heart of Habakkuk. I think we need to have exposure to the fear of God. Proverbs tells us that fear of the Lord is the beginning wisdom. It is not good for us to be conditional in our love toward our God. We need to declare our love for Him even if it looks like He is not with us. Watch, I said "looks like" He is not with us. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. Don't mistake the gifts of God for God. He is true to His word. He is loving and kind. He is merciful beyond expression. He is now and ever will be GOD!
God used the wicked nations to bring a repentant heart to Israel. Everything, everyone, every nation, everything belongs to God. He is sovereign and there is no one, nothing, above Him. He is God! When the fig tree doesn't bear figs, He is God. When there are no grapes on the vine, He is God. When the crops fail, He is God. When there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the pasture, He is God. When there is no car in the garage, He is God. When you are in a deep struggle, He is God. Rejoice; He is God.
Be joyful, God is your Savior! Rejoice, He is mighty to save. Rejoice, you will not be overcome for He has overcome the world. And, if you must make the steep climb up the mountainside, He has given you strength for the journey and the sure footedness of the deer to obtain the victory. He is God.
Rejoice, be glad, take heart, He is God!!!
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; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk was a champion for the nation of Israel. He loved the nation and He loved the God of the nation, Jehovah. He voices his contempt for the enemy and complains to God of the injustice of the wicked having any victory over the wicked. I admire his zeal and his willingness to face God with his complaint. He was loyal, brave, and up front. The only problem, He wasn't God and it wasn't his call.
Think about your own life. How many times have you said, "God is on my side"? I pay my tithes. I attend church weekly. I love the poor and the needy. I don't cuss. I don't chew and I don't go with girls who do. God is on my side. Really? I'm not trying to discourage you from trusting in the Lord, rather to examine your heart and make sure you fall on the side of the right. Our motto should be, "I am on the Lord's side".
Habakkuk complained about the injustice to the house of Israel but God showed him who was in charge and struck fear in the heart of Habakkuk. I think we need to have exposure to the fear of God. Proverbs tells us that fear of the Lord is the beginning wisdom. It is not good for us to be conditional in our love toward our God. We need to declare our love for Him even if it looks like He is not with us. Watch, I said "looks like" He is not with us. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. Don't mistake the gifts of God for God. He is true to His word. He is loving and kind. He is merciful beyond expression. He is now and ever will be GOD!
God used the wicked nations to bring a repentant heart to Israel. Everything, everyone, every nation, everything belongs to God. He is sovereign and there is no one, nothing, above Him. He is God! When the fig tree doesn't bear figs, He is God. When there are no grapes on the vine, He is God. When the crops fail, He is God. When there are no sheep in the pen or cattle in the pasture, He is God. When there is no car in the garage, He is God. When you are in a deep struggle, He is God. Rejoice; He is God.
Be joyful, God is your Savior! Rejoice, He is mighty to save. Rejoice, you will not be overcome for He has overcome the world. And, if you must make the steep climb up the mountainside, He has given you strength for the journey and the sure footedness of the deer to obtain the victory. He is God.
Rejoice, be glad, take heart, He is God!!!