Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. ~Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
It’s easy to be thankful and praise God when things are going well. When health and wealth roll in like the waves of the ocean and abundance surrounds us, we can all sing songs and be joyful in the Lord with no problem at all. But God talks about a different level of rejoicing in the Lord in the book of Habukkuk, He talks about rejoicing when times aren't so great. He describes troubles that can affect every area of life. In Habbakuk's day and culture, crops failing, and no livestock meant destitution. Yet he states in the midst of that destitution that he chose to trust and rejoice in the Lord. He praised God in the midst of his troubles. This is exactly what the Holy Spirit talks about when He instructs us in Hebrews 13:15 saying “let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” (NIV) The word sacrifice actually means to surrender or give up. When we offer up a sacrifice of praise and continually give thanks to God despite our circumstances, we are giving up our way, what we want and what we expect. Essentially, we are telling God we trust Him and know He loves us and has a good plan for our lives, we are counting on Him that no weapon formed against us will prosper and we know in our heart He is working all things together for the good of us (aka “those who love Him”), just as He has promised. To offer a sacrifice of praise despite our circumstances is the kind of spiritual maturity we must have to get us through the most difficult of situations.
We must also learn to turn our faith away from being solely in ourselves and what we are able to accomplish or in others and what they are able to accomplish on our behalf and let our faith rest in God alone. When we do this, the pressure to “arrive” dissipates and the need to get everything done “right now” fades. We have to learn to let go of worry, let go of our own self expectations and most importantly let go of others and the expectations we have put on them that should have been put on God in the first place. When we do, the peace of God replace every bit of that. Ask the Lord to show you what you are depending on above Him and commit to releasing it. This is the only way we are going to be able to seize the day, unhindered and trusting God, because we know that greater is He who is in us that He who is in the world. God is the original promise keeper, and He is not a man that He could tell a lie. He will never fail you or forsake you. No matter what you are going through today, it is imperative that you begin to praise God in the midst of your troubles, shake off doubts, fears and expectations in anything other than your Lord and Savior and then watch your circumstances begin to look smaller as you look to Jesus. He is not only the Lord of your life; He is Lord of the outcome!
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
What situations have you praised your way through?
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