The
online
Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
December 29,
2021
"Yet
I Will"
Message
summary: Today we consider the great statement of
confidence and faith that concludes the rather obscure
book of Habakkuk. We can read this as a promise for
any events we might face.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
“The just shall live by his faith”
(Habakkuk 2:4). "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. The
Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like
the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the
heights” (Habakkuk 3:17-19). “For we walk by faith,
not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
During these last days of 2021 we often reflect on the previous year while also contemplating what lies ahead in the New Year. It's a good time to count our blessings and rededicate our lives to Christ and His cause.
During these last days of 2021 we often reflect on the previous year while also contemplating what lies ahead in the New Year. It's a good time to count our blessings and rededicate our lives to Christ and His cause.
Francis Havergal, probably best known for her hymn, “Take My Life” regularly sent out New Years greetings to friends along with an original poem for the coming year. Many of them became the text for a hymn.
For 1873
she included these Scriptural allusions in the second
stanza, “Standing at the Portal”:
“He will
never fail us, He will not forsake;
For
His eternal covenant He will never break.
Resting on the promise, What have we to fear?
Resting on the promise, What have we to fear?
God is all
sufficient for the coming year.”
It was a
timely word for those who would endure “The Panic of
1873”, a major economic depression that closed thousands
of factories and made many destitute for the next five
years.
As we take
down the 2021 calendar and hang up the 2022 calendar none of us knows
whether there will be fortune or famine in the new year.
The days are not marked as such to give us either warning
or comfort, so we must rest on God’s promises and be
reminded that He is still all sufficient for the
coming year.
Today let’s consider the great statement of
confidence and faith that concludes the rather obscure
book of Habakkuk. We can read this as a promise for
any events we might face.
Habakkuk was written as Judah was about to
be destroyed by the Babylonians and the remnant taken
captive. The better known prophet during this time was
Jeremiah. It was a very desperate time.
"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." Since the economy was agriculturally based Habakkuk describes the equivalence of a devastating economic depression. Based on the wider context of the book (the pending judgment upon the nation of Judah), he’s describing a situation in which practically everything that can go wrong does, a “worst case scenario.”
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” What a tremendous response of faith. Twice he states the will to live in an attitude of joy and in both cases the immutable (unchanging) source of that joy is expressed.
Consider the resolve of those words, "yet I will". It conveys the sense of “in spite of” or “notwithstanding.” Habakkuk was determined to keep his faith and joy in the Lord. He chose to experience the reservoir of deep abiding joy that is derived from his relationship with an unchanging God, rather than the inevitable ever-changing circumstances in his life.
Jesus prayed to His Father in His final “High Priestly” prayer: “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (John 17:13).
As we look back over the events in our lives this past year, some have been pleasurable, and others a trial. There are also ongoing issues that we carry from one year to the next. But our struggles are somewhat minimal compared to those who have faced great loss, some have been devastated by destructive earthquakes, deadly tornadoes, natural disasters, wars or those living in persecuted lands. This last year our brethren in Nigeria have seen fierce and deadly persecution from the Fulani Muslims. Considering their plight and praying for them keeps matters I am experiencing in perspective.
Nevertheless some of you are dealing with a trial and doubtless for some it’s a very serious matter. Today and through our life, let us quote Habakkuk and make this our own personal victorious declaration: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights” (3:19).
"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." Since the economy was agriculturally based Habakkuk describes the equivalence of a devastating economic depression. Based on the wider context of the book (the pending judgment upon the nation of Judah), he’s describing a situation in which practically everything that can go wrong does, a “worst case scenario.”
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” What a tremendous response of faith. Twice he states the will to live in an attitude of joy and in both cases the immutable (unchanging) source of that joy is expressed.
Consider the resolve of those words, "yet I will". It conveys the sense of “in spite of” or “notwithstanding.” Habakkuk was determined to keep his faith and joy in the Lord. He chose to experience the reservoir of deep abiding joy that is derived from his relationship with an unchanging God, rather than the inevitable ever-changing circumstances in his life.
Jesus prayed to His Father in His final “High Priestly” prayer: “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (John 17:13).
As we look back over the events in our lives this past year, some have been pleasurable, and others a trial. There are also ongoing issues that we carry from one year to the next. But our struggles are somewhat minimal compared to those who have faced great loss, some have been devastated by destructive earthquakes, deadly tornadoes, natural disasters, wars or those living in persecuted lands. This last year our brethren in Nigeria have seen fierce and deadly persecution from the Fulani Muslims. Considering their plight and praying for them keeps matters I am experiencing in perspective.
Nevertheless some of you are dealing with a trial and doubtless for some it’s a very serious matter. Today and through our life, let us quote Habakkuk and make this our own personal victorious declaration: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights” (3:19).
The focus today on the phrase "yet I will"
brought to mind a newer song we've been blessed by
that is also a response to trials titled, "Yes I
Will". We'll post a link to a video below. Consider this refrain as you place your trust in
the Lord and sing for joy:
Yes I will, lift You high in the lowest valley
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
For all my days, oh yes I will
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
For all my days, oh yes I will
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we’re reminded by Habakkuk
that our deep abiding joy is not derived from
abundance in provisions nor even the people in our
life. But rather our joy comes from You as we choose
to rejoice in You, whether our pantry is overflowing
or bare. We rejoice in knowing that You are our
strength who enables us to descend the rigorous,
steep terrain. When we reach the height of the
mountain we can look back at the disappointments and
hardships we climbed through as You made our feet
sure-footed like those of a deer. Keep us steadily
faithful through the climb as we once again affirm
our faith in You, Sovereign Lord, and rejoice in the
work You are accomplishing in our lives. In the name
of Jesus we pray. Amen.We
received some feedback on yesterday's message "A New
Song".
David
wrote:
"You mentioned "Holy, Holy, Holy" in your
message. My dad led music in our church in Miami
when I was a boy. He started almost every service by
leading us in a rousing singing of that song. A
great childhood memory."
We
wonder how many of you can associate a family member
or church friend with a particular song?
Another
reader's note: We also heard from a reader who
is sadly experiencing the insensitivity far too
common in recent decades as churches transition to
newer musical styles. I believe the church suffers
when many churches completely cease singing the
familiar hymns especially to older congregants. They
also feel the need to really crank up the volume and
turn the lights down low. This trend started over
twenty years ago (as far as we're aware) since we've
heard from people who could no longer attend their
churches due to the headaches they had to nurse
following the worship services. We pray that
God will fill churches with grace, speaking to the
hearts of those who lead, regarding these music
issues that far too often divide rather than unite.
"Worship Wars" have existed for centuries, but we
who follow Christ and lead others in the faith
should always seek to bring the body of Christ
together as much as is possible.
Brooksyne
mentioned "Then Sings My Soul" books 1 & 2 by
Robert J. Morgan in yesterday's note. These books
are background stories of the hymns and hymn
writers. "Then Sings My Soul" book 3 gives a
more historic perspective on the hymns over the
centuries. His chapter on P. 47 "From Gospel Songs
to contemporary Praise" is an interesting chapter
and he concludes it this way: "Today a new
generation of writers and composers are leading us
into a new era of both hymns and contemporary Gospel
music. I'm a firm believer that we should sing the
best of the newer Christian music without abandoning
the heritage of our hymnody or the treasures of our
old hymns. Let's sing a new song to the Lord, as the
Bible says - but let's not forget the old ones."
Robert, points out that there is a hymn project known as the Odes Project which has at least 14 hymns that were written in the first 100 years of the Christian faith. The music has been updated by several of our contemporary Christian artists, one of whom is Fernando Ortega. The lyrics fit today just as they did when they were written.
Special
Year-end
Financial Note
We
want to thank
all who have
financially
supported our
ministry this
past year (and
some for many
years!). We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at this
time but if you
would like to
make a donation
to our ministry
see here for
more
information. Like
many ministries,
we typically see
a spike in
giving at the
end of the year
for which we are
most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
To
donate
directly online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE WEBER - 700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED CHAPLAINCY
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
To
donate
directly online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE WEBER - 700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED CHAPLAINCY
Please Note: If
you
desire you can donate directly through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber".
We keep this option available due to
the familiarity, convenience, international
supporters, and for those who may not need an
official receipt. You can also set up for
recurring donations. You also can use PayPal on this
link. Stephen & Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Yes I Will"
Video Anthem
Lights
We have been so blessed singing this song in our
church this last year.
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
To receive the
"Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday
through email see this
page to subscribe to our email list. You can also
subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or
through a Wordpress email subscription.
(See the email subscription on the right side
after opening this page)
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and
distribute any material on Daily Encouragement
Net, in part or in whole, in any format,
provided that you do not alter the wording in
any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of
reproduction. It is our desire to spread this
material, not protect or restrict it. We do
request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription
information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2021 Stephen C. &
Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA