Rejoicing in Adversity
Habakkuk 3:17-19: "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. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."
I love the resolve of this minor prophet! After delivering a very disturbing prophetic message of judgment concerning Israel, he then concludes that he is still going to rejoice in the Lord, and enjoy his journey! Notice the words “my” and “me” in the text; “my strength,” “my feet,” and “he will make me to walk…” In other words, Habakkuk was determined to experience God’s best for his life, even in light of the judgment that was coming to the nation of Israel! He was determined to have a personal revival, regardless of whether or not anyone else cared to join him!
You see, Habakkuk knew something about God that many religious people seem to miss; even in God’s wrath, He remembers mercy! God always has a remnant of people that love Him, regardless of how dire the circumstances, and He will take care of them! Friends, we must have the same resolve even in this day of apostasy in which we live. I could very well read the headlines day in and day out for the next six months, buy into the ‘gloom and despair’ propaganda of the secular media, and listen to the average preacher who concludes revival to be a hopeless cause in America anymore, OR I can choose rather to rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation!
Now, I’m not denying that things are bad in our world today; indeed they are! I am simply refusing to let the destruction around me destroy the hope I still have in my heart. In Jesus’ name, I will not let it into my spirit! A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come nigh me (see Ps 91:7)! This is the day which the LORD hath made; I WILL rejoice and be glad in it (see Ps 118:24)! We cannot allow a spirit of intimidation and fear creep into our hearts, because if we do, we will sink into the mire of hopelessness. God has called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (see 2 Peter 1:4)!
So, live for God, win the lost, and enjoy the journey!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
I love the resolve of this minor prophet! After delivering a very disturbing prophetic message of judgment concerning Israel, he then concludes that he is still going to rejoice in the Lord, and enjoy his journey! Notice the words “my” and “me” in the text; “my strength,” “my feet,” and “he will make me to walk…” In other words, Habakkuk was determined to experience God’s best for his life, even in light of the judgment that was coming to the nation of Israel! He was determined to have a personal revival, regardless of whether or not anyone else cared to join him!
You see, Habakkuk knew something about God that many religious people seem to miss; even in God’s wrath, He remembers mercy! God always has a remnant of people that love Him, regardless of how dire the circumstances, and He will take care of them! Friends, we must have the same resolve even in this day of apostasy in which we live. I could very well read the headlines day in and day out for the next six months, buy into the ‘gloom and despair’ propaganda of the secular media, and listen to the average preacher who concludes revival to be a hopeless cause in America anymore, OR I can choose rather to rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation!
Now, I’m not denying that things are bad in our world today; indeed they are! I am simply refusing to let the destruction around me destroy the hope I still have in my heart. In Jesus’ name, I will not let it into my spirit! A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come nigh me (see Ps 91:7)! This is the day which the LORD hath made; I WILL rejoice and be glad in it (see Ps 118:24)! We cannot allow a spirit of intimidation and fear creep into our hearts, because if we do, we will sink into the mire of hopelessness. God has called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (see 2 Peter 1:4)!
So, live for God, win the lost, and enjoy the journey!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill