JOY DESPITE CIRCUMSTANCES
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)
The prophet Habakkuk paints a picture of desolateness and scarcity. There are no fruit, no crops, and no livestock. Emptiness, barrenness, and sickness are all words that Habakkuk uses, and they paint quite a dim picture of the season they are in. Yet, Habakkuk declares that he will rejoice in the Lord!
There was a time in my life after a major disappointment when I didn’t know if God still had good plans for me. But I knew that He loved me. A song called Trust it All came on my random Made for You Spotify Playlist. I felt like God was prompting me to sing my commitment to Him regardless of my perception of what was happening around me. Praising God when things are not as you hope is a way to respond to the Lord that He is faithful even when we cannot see or understand what He’s doing.
Love that’s truly rooted in God does not wither during difficult seasons. Even in times of emptiness, His love sustains and gives you strength to rejoice, knowing He is faithful. Take a step today to trust despite what you can see. Find joy in the fact that God knows your name and hears your prayers!
APPLICATION: Are you in a season of barrenness, feeling like nothing in your life is growing or producing desirable results? Choose to rejoice in God’s love for you today. Trust that God is working invisibly despite what you can see. Praise God for who He is when you might not be able to see what He is doing.
PRAYER: Father, when life feels empty, please remind me that Your love never runs dry. Help me rejoice in You, not in my circumstances. Give me the faith to trust that You’re always working, even when I cannot see it. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?