Sometimes we think we will rejoice as the result of great news- I’m engaged! I got a pay raise! I got a new house! These are definitely times to rejoice. But they are not the only times to rejoice. As worshipers, have we made a decision that we will rejoice in God in spite of the good or bad news that comes our way?
Habakkuk 3:17-18 states: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
This passage of scripture written to an agrarian society would be equal to our current day news that the economy is bad, the stock market crashed and we lost our job. There is no apparent source of supply that we can see.
The declaration to “rejoice in the Lord” means to jump for joy and be exceedingly glad. “I will joy” means to be full of cheer or happy. The only reason to act this way is that our eyes are on the God of our salvation. God is our Deliverer . What will God deliver us from? It is God- not the economy that is our source. He gives us favor for a new job if we need it. The God who still knows the recipe for manna can create it again if you need it. When we go through tough times our rejoicing is vital as we look to our Loving Father and Source.
Apply it:
- What bad news may you be facing today that you need to focus on God’s supply?
- Are you thinking more about the problem than reminding yourself of the Answer?
- Use “yet I will rejoice” this week as you encounter difficulties
- Confess who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and what you can do because of Him
