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]
Habakkuk was a man who knew his homeland would be conquered, enslaved, and exiled in the coming years. He knew they would lose everything, nonetheless his response was, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” This year has not turned out as anyone expected, but we as believers have a choice in how we respond. Choices may be being made for you daily on where you can go, how you must dress, how you can work, and what rights may be lost for a season. However, in all this we have a choice in how we respond. I am not implying we have a choice as to whether we follow these decisions, to this Scripture is very clear:
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. [Col 3:22 ESV]
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. [Heb 13:17 ESV]
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. [Rom 13:1-2 ESV]
No, I do not question whether or not we should follow these, but what our attitude should be while we follow these. We are to follow with “sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord,” and remembering our leaders, who were instituted by God, will give an account. Getting back to Habakkuk, we also have a choice to rejoice; it is a mental choice we must make daily.
With all the conflicting information, fighting, uncertainty of health, rights, and financial stability, have you yet to stop and think of the beautiful and wonderful things that have come from 2020. What has God done during this year and through this time. Remember Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)
His word is being streamed weekly by thousands of churches to every corner of the world. Praise God! He made us go home and He created so many ministries we may never know. How many homebound individuals now have access to church, not just a church, but their home church–one they may not have been able to attend for years? He shut down our lives and gave us opportunities to spend time with our families, to play games with each other, and talk to each other. Did you get those projects done you been putting off for years, always saying, “If I could just get a week at home…” Are we “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil?” [Eph 5:16 ESV]. How may blessings and opportunities has He given you during this time? Take time to think on this and rejoice in Him who sustains us with His very breath. The fig tree may not blossom this year, the fields may yield no food, yet I can rejoice in the Lord. I can take joy in the God of my salvation!
GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. [Hab 3:19 ESV]
Reflection Questions:
- What are some examples you have seen where God has worked this year for good? (in your life, in the church, in your family)
- How can you rejoice today in the Lord, the God of your salvation, your strength?
- Write down these rejoices and place them somewhere you can see throughout your week as a reminder of the faithfulness and great things God has done.
Reflection Song:
