Habakkuk 3:17-19 - You Can Always Rejoice In The Lord.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT) Even though the fig
trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on
the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and
the fields lie empty and barren; even though the
flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are
empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be
joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign
LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as
a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
COMMENTARY PEARL
When the storms of life hit, we are often
tempted to run for cover. When they continue
indefinitely, we struggle to find encouragement. When the
rain and the wind gather strength until they turn
into what seems to be a hurricane, we find
ourselves saying, "I can't do this any longer," The
truth is this: we can't, but God can.
He is the only One who can help us
victoriously fight through the battles of life. Nothing
can provide the type of strength that He
provides, especially when we feel overwhelmed and
discouraged. He stands beside us, and He never retreats.
Daniel never worried about being cast
into the lion's den. He knew that the Lord would
provide the help and protection he needed to make it
through the night. Some of the people who read these
words are fighting a battle with a
life-threatening disease. It is an unseen enemy from a human
standpoint but not from God's. He knows exactly what we
are facing and how it is affecting our lives.
There is an incredible sense of peace
that comes from learning how to rest in the Lord
and allow Him to take care of your troubles.
This does not mean that you abandon the fight and
just give up trying. It means that you shift the
focus of your effort from yourself to God. This is
where the true victory is gained.
The apostle Paul faced many
life-threatening situations. At one point, he debated whether
it was better to ask God to allow him to go
home to heaven where he would have unending peace
and glory in the presence of Christ or to
continue living the earthly life God had given him.
Paul chose the latter. As much as he longed to
see the Lord in heaven, he loved having the
opportunity here to tell others about God's unending,
unconditional love and forgiveness.
The suffering you face today is directly
related to the joy you will experience in the
future. [Alternative View with Dr. Tony Evans;
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view-with-dr-tony-evans/]
COMMENTARY
Its been said that worry is the
advanced interest we pay on troubles that seldom
come. We try to justify worry, of course:
Its okay for me to worry because Im in a
difficult situation. In many ways we all are - some
more than others. But maybe we all just need to
lighten up a little when we can. You might think,
Easy for you to say.
I want you to consider the following
words of the apostle Paul, who was writing under
adverse circumstances. Paul was under house arrest.
There was the possibility that he might be
acquitted, or he might be beheaded. He didnt know
what his future held. Yet he gave us some of the
most inspiring words found in the pages of
Scripture: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will
say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all
men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God (Philippians 4:4"6 NKJV).
I love these verses. Paul wasnt
sitting in some ivory tower, spinning up practical
theories. He was not lounging on some beach in the
Mediterranean, eating a falafel and having an iced tea.
This was a man who was incarcerated, yet he was
able to say, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again
I will say, rejoice!
By the way, that is a command from God
himself. To put it another way, to not rejoice is
disobedience to God. Anyone can rejoice when things are
going reasonably well. But when were facing
adversity or sickness or hardship or death and then we
rejoice, we are obeying God.
God is on His throne. He loves you and is
watching out for you. So rejoice in the Lord. [Greg
Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
EXAMPLES
The prophet Habakkuk undoubtedly enjoyed
many days of walking with God in sunlight, peace,
and plenty. But then the day came when
everything went wrong. There were no flowers on the fig
frees, no grapes on the vines, no olives on the
trees, no grains from the fields, no sheep in the
pen, and no cattle in the stalls.
If you were a farmer surveying such
devastation, you might have a difficult time rejoicing in
the Lord. But not Habakkuk. He knew the very
time to trust God in triple measure was on a day
when everything bad happened at once and all his
dreams came unraveled. He not only trusted God in
the midst of crazy and bizarre disappointments,
but he also determined to put a smile on his
face. As a result, a very bad day on the Habakkuk
ranch ended very well - with joy, trust, and
thoughts of God's enduring strength.
Dear Father, I look forward to meeting
Habakkuk in heaven. I'm so thankful for his faith and
positive, upbeat frame of mind in the face of
devastating events in his life. With this good man who
loved you, I will also say, "Yet I will rejoice in
the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." [A
Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry
Libby]
Joan Liggins married John without a hint
of love in her heart. She was pregnant and
assumed it was the right thing to do. After she
delivered her child, frustrations mounted. Joan found
release at work hanging out with a male co-worker
from another department. Occasional work lunches
led to a secret rendezvous in a hotel. She was
back to her old ways. "I want a divorce," she
told John, and her husband yielded.
Joan hit rock-bottom in 1968. When her
cousin invited her to church, she decided to go.
Sitting on the red-cushioned pew, she opened her
heart to Jesus. Under the conviction of the Holy
Spirit, she knew what she must do. Joan must
re-marry her ex-husband, a man she did not love. And
I must marry John because of my love for God.
That was over 40 years ago. Forty long years of
praying for the salvation of her husband whom now
she loves very much. All of us pray alongside
Joan who has now worked for Joni and Friends 30
years. Her prayers remind me of the following poem
by Amy Carmichael:
Not in vain, the tedious toil, On an
unresponsive soil,
Travail, tears in secret shed, Over
hopes that lay as dead.
All in vain, thy faint heart cries.
Not in vain, thy Lord replies:
Nothing is to good to be; Then
believe, believe to see.
Do not give up on praying for your loved
ones... no prayer is ever offered in vain!
Lord Jesus, I lift up before you today
_______________ who does not know you as personal Savior and
Lord. Rescue this dear one out of the kingdom of
darkness, give this person a spirit of repentance and
a home in heaven. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily
Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The joy I give you transcends your
circumstances. This means that no matter what is happening
in your life, it is possible to be joyful in
Me. The prophet Habakkuk listed a series of dire
circumstances that he was anticipating, then he
proclaimed: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be
joyful in God my Savior.' This is transcendent Joy!
I am training you to view your life from
a heavenly perspective - through eyes of
faith. When things don't go as you had hoped, talk
with Me. Seek My Face and My guidance. I will
help you discern whether you need to work to
change the situation or simply accept it. Either
way, you can teach yourself to say: I can
still rejoice in You, Jesus." This short statement
of faith - expressing your confidence in Me -
will change your perspective dramatically. As you
practice doing this more and more, your Joy will
increase. This training also prepares you to handle
the difficulties awaiting you on your pathway
toward heaven. Rejoice in Me always. (Hab. 3:17,
18; Psa. 105:4; Phi. 4:4) [Jesus Always by Sarah
Young]
I give you Joy in your journey through
the world. This sparkling gift is not a luxury;
it's a necessity! There are bumps in the road
ahead, as well as sharp curves, ascents, and
descents. Without Joy in your heart, you will become
weary and discouraged.
Joy is not dependent on the circumstances
in your life. It can transcend them all! This
is why impoverished people are often more
joyful than those who have material wealth. Sick -
and even dying - people can also be joyful when
they're trusting in Me as Savior, Lord, and Friend.
Seek to spread Joy in the world around
you. Let My Light reflect from your demeanor -
through your smiles, your laughter, your words. The
Holy Spirit will equip you to do this as you give
Him space in your life. Ask Him to fill you with
contagious delight. Concentrate on staying close to Me,
and I will lead you along the path of Life. In
My Presence there is fullness of Joy. (Heb.
12:3; Hab. 3:17, 18; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Always by
Sarah Young]
No matter what is happening in your life,
you can be joyful in Me because I am your
Savior. When Habakkuk wrote about this, he was
awaiting the invasion of his country by the
Babylonians - a ruthless, feared, and dreaded people.
Even as he pondered this terrifying prophecy, he
was able to rejoice in his relationship with Me.
This sort of Joy is supernatural - powered by the
Holy Spirit, who lives in all My followers.
Joy and thankfulness are closely
connected. Give thanks to Me for My unfailing Love;
tell of My wonderful works with songs of Joy. My
Love for you will never fail because I have
already paid the full penalty for your sins. It
doesn't depend on you! The more you thank Me - for
your salvation, My Love, and other blessings -
the more you will realize how blessed you really
are. And a grateful attitude increases your Joy.
You can nourish this gladness by thanking Me in
your silent prayers, in your written, spoken, or
whispered words, and through music. Come before Me
with joyful songs! (Hab. 3:18; 1:6, 7; Psa.
107:21, 22; 100:2) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - How To Rejoice In The
Lord Always.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160126-0924.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
