Are you going through (or maybe know someone going) through a difficult or disappointing season in life? Maybe you lost your job and got deep in debt? Maybe you experienced the death of a loved one? Or maybe you suffered through a divorce? Or maybe you got a difficult diagnosis? When our world is falling apart it can be easy to get discouraged and doubt God’s goodness.
Habakkuk was no stranger to difficult times. In fact, he painted a pretty bleak picture of the situation in his day - no figs, no grapes, no olives, no food, no sheep, no cattle, nothing! Even though things were bleak, Habakkuk declares triumphantly in his closing thoughts… “ yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:18).
Habakkuk gives us the key to finding joy in the struggle – Faith!
When we put our faith in God’s promises it allows us to shift our perspective from our temporary circumstances to our eternal salvation. Faith reminds us of the bigger story of God's redemptive plan for our lives and how salvation secures our eternal future in heaven, where there will be no more pain or suffering. Faith helps us keep an eternal perspective that in turn helps us endure difficult times with hope and joy.
Habakkuk’s final encouragement for us is, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). Here is the really good news, faith not only helps us find joy in the struggle, it also enables us to tap into God’s strength to overcome the struggle.
While we may not choose what we go through, we can choose how we go through it. If we choose to go through it by our own effort we will become overwhelmed and discouraged. But if we choose to hold on to our faith in Jesus and His saving grace we will find joy and strength to get through any and every struggle.
Let’s choose joy as we rely on His strength to take us to heights by faith!
Habakkuk was no stranger to difficult times. In fact, he painted a pretty bleak picture of the situation in his day - no figs, no grapes, no olives, no food, no sheep, no cattle, nothing! Even though things were bleak, Habakkuk declares triumphantly in his closing thoughts… “ yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:18).
Habakkuk gives us the key to finding joy in the struggle – Faith!
When we put our faith in God’s promises it allows us to shift our perspective from our temporary circumstances to our eternal salvation. Faith reminds us of the bigger story of God's redemptive plan for our lives and how salvation secures our eternal future in heaven, where there will be no more pain or suffering. Faith helps us keep an eternal perspective that in turn helps us endure difficult times with hope and joy.
Habakkuk’s final encouragement for us is, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). Here is the really good news, faith not only helps us find joy in the struggle, it also enables us to tap into God’s strength to overcome the struggle.
While we may not choose what we go through, we can choose how we go through it. If we choose to go through it by our own effort we will become overwhelmed and discouraged. But if we choose to hold on to our faith in Jesus and His saving grace we will find joy and strength to get through any and every struggle.
Let’s choose joy as we rely on His strength to take us to heights by faith!
Posted in devo