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Brooksyne Weber
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Friday,
July 21, 2023
"Gleanings
From Habakkuk"
(Part 4)
"Yet I Will Rejoice In The Lord"
(Part 4)
"Yet I Will Rejoice In The Lord"
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
and no matter
what happens
we will
rejoice in the
Lord.
"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).
A
few weeks ago
our ABF was
studying the
minor prophet
Haggai and I
(Brooksyne)
came across a
reference
mentioning the
fig tree
mentioned in
Haggai 2:19.
An individual
had recently
given me a
package of cut
up figs and,
since the only
way I am
familiar with
figs is eating
fig newtons, I
looked for a
recipe for fig
newtons. Sure
enough, I
found one
online and
though it is
considerable
work I made a
large batch of
fig newtons to
share with our
class. Eating
freshly baked
fig newtons
has now
spoiled us and
I've made two
batches since
then, and now
the minor
prophets come
to mind when
we're eating
them.
Today let’s
consider a
reference to
the fig tree
in 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 taken captive. The better known prophet during this time was Jeremiah. It was a very desperate time but God had a remnant of faithful as He always does.
"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.”
Habakkuk was written as Judah was about to be destroyed by the Babylonians and taken captive. The better known prophet during this time was Jeremiah. It was a very desperate time but God had a remnant of faithful as He always does.
"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.”
Let
us seek to
provide
commentary on
this by using
modern imagery
such as "Though
the nation
slides farther
and farther
into moral
anarchy and
decadence,
though it
seems fewer
and fewer
people follow
God, though my
retirement
savings
deplete
through
inflation and
the economy is
tanking,
though my
health may
fail, ... ."
You can add
your own
troubles here.
But
Habakkuk did
not finish
here which
would have
been a rather
despairing
ending to his
book. Rather,
he proclaims:
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” What a tremendous resolve of faith. Twice he states the will to live in an attitude of joy (rejoice and be joyful) and in both cases the immutable (unchanging) source of that joy is expressed: the Lord, God my Savior.
Consider the resolve of those words, "yet I will". It conveys the sense of “in spite of” or “notwithstanding" or "whatever happens". 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 timeline of our lives we recall that which was enjoyable and that which was a trial. There are ongoing issues that we carry through life. 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. For many years our brethren in Nigeria and many other countries have seen fierce and deadly persecution from the Muslims. Considering their plight and praying for them keeps difficulties that I am experiencing in perspective.
Nevertheless some of you are dealing with a trial and doubtless for some it’s a very hard one. 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 phrase "yet I will" brought to mind a newer song 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)
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.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Yes
I Will"
Click
to watch on
YouTube
Vertical
Worship
Yesterday
we picked our
first 2023
home-grown
tomato!
This
year we are
growing them
in a raised
bed right on
our deck so we
have been
watching and
waiting!
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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)
If
you desire you
can also
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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
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recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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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."
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