Scripture
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
~Habakkuk 3:17:18, NLT
Quote
He who faces the trouble with a heart of cheer makes the burden lighter.
~Eben E. Redford
You may think our present circumstances are horrible and I will be the first to admit, we have seen better days but what we face cannot be compared to what Habakkuk was dealing with when he made the affirmation of faith above. He was dealing with calamitous circumstances. God was using the cruel and wicked Babylonians to judge Israel and it was a bitter pill for any Orthodox Jew to swallow. The Babylonians not only invaded the land, they utterly destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. Thousands died by the sword and thousands more from plague and famine. These were some of the darkest days in Israel’s history. In light of these dark and dismal circumstances, Habakkuk’s statement of faith shines like the stars in the heavens: what heroic faith! We can all sing in the happy times when the sun is shinning brightly and the skies are blue but can we sing in the rain, in the storms and the dark hours of history?
It reminds me of the story of the Hebrew boys–Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. As Bro. Mike Dawson use to say, “Your shack, my shack and a bungalow.” The boys were called to give an account for not bowing to the graven image. Nebuchadnezzar was threatening to throw them into the fiery furnace if they did not conform. Here is their reply, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” I’m almost sure that his story inspired Mercy Me’s song “EVEN IF.”
If you reread the text, you will notice I have highlighted three EVEN THOUGHS {ifs} and two I WILLS. Habukkak and the Hebrew boys knew how to create their own weather. You do this with an overcoming faith. You don’t allow circumstance to dictate your attitude. You continue to be positive when everything around you is negative. Unpleasant circumstances become the head wind that pushes you higher. Circumstance do not dictate your joy. Your joy comes from the God of your salvation. We rejoice in HIM, not the circumstances.
EXTRA
This week has been like all the rest–swift! I can’t believe it is Friday and the 13th. Football season is underway; the Hawks will be playing tonight and we have two grandsons on that team and one will probably play some. Mark Byrd and the Quartet will be at the POINT Sunday morning at the 10:15 service. I will be preaching at the 9:00 am service. If you want a sermon, come at 9:00; if you want a concert come at 10:15. If I am not mistaken, small groups begin Sunday night and we are a host.
Have a great Friday and weekend! Thanks for reading the blog.