Consistent Faith In Our Inconsistent World

“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)

When I read these verses in Habakkuk the other day, I was struck by a few things. First, I could relate to verse 17 … the feeling of struggle as we face all that we do in life … the times we feel like things are coming together only to have another wrinkle come into play.

But, where the Lord has been challenging me as of late is verse 18. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” The Lord took me to these verses along with others like Psalm 16.9 and Philippians 4.4 where we are called to rejoice. Scripture calls us to choose to rejoice. It sounds good; why is it so hard sometimes? Is rejoicing always this wonderful worshipful joy-filled experience? I don’t think so, but I know I want to experience more of verse 18 and less of verse 17!

Most often we equate joy with positive feelings, and I do not think that is the case. Joy is a choice to trust in the sovereignty and love of God no matter our circumstances. It is not a passing feeling of happiness but (as one commentary put it) a “deep contentment in the Lord”.

I have days I experience joy, but there are days it feels pretty far off. My guilt then often makes it feel even further off. So, what do I do? How do we help one another towards a deeper experience of joy?

It is easy to see what pulls joy out of life - will I focus on what puts joy in? Will I choose joy rather than keep waiting for it to just happen? Will I lean towards God - not only towards the truth of who He is but also to Him in personal and relational ways?

Let us rejoice!

“Lord, help me to know the joy only available in You!”