My FB friend, David Duncan posted this passage.
I have added words of encouragement. Faith not worry, overcomes trial, distress, misery and discouragement. And remember, faith and joy and spiritual strength are partners.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
(17) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
(18) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
When people see us in the midst of the storm, they should see the joy of the Lord in the depths of our soul, and the strength of God in our lives.
Faith is not a magic phrase, magic bullet, magic potion. It ain't magic, it is unwavering trust in the Almighty God, and the confidence that He does all things well and that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
If everything is going against you, there are two things you should get as a result.
#1
You should learn the lessons that God has for you. God is either chastising you, cleansing you or conditioning you for futures service to Him.
#2
Your faith should grow,
Your joy should show,
Your strength should triumph over your foe.
It is in the trials, not the triumphs that people see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Trials and Triumphs are both important, but without the trials, there are no triumphs.
The passage above leaves the writer totally dependent on God. It is not hard to praise God when everything is falling in place. It is even possible to praise God when most things fall apart. But the man (or woman) of God should be able to praise Him when everything falls apart. Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him.
Certainly, if a man who lived before any of the Bible was written, before there was an Israel, if he could praise God in the face of excruciating death; and if a prophet who watched as everything he loved and believed in was being attacked and destroyed, if he could trust God, then CERTAINLY those who know and trust Christ can have, should have, will have faith, joy, peace, hope, strength, and they should not be shrouded in morbidity, distress, discouragement, depression.
A good dose of Scripture can help restore the joy of salvation. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
(17) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
(18) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
When people see us in the midst of the storm, they should see the joy of the Lord in the depths of our soul, and the strength of God in our lives.
Faith is not a magic phrase, magic bullet, magic potion. It ain't magic, it is unwavering trust in the Almighty God, and the confidence that He does all things well and that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
If everything is going against you, there are two things you should get as a result.
#1
You should learn the lessons that God has for you. God is either chastising you, cleansing you or conditioning you for futures service to Him.
#2
Your faith should grow,
Your joy should show,
Your strength should triumph over your foe.
It is in the trials, not the triumphs that people see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Trials and Triumphs are both important, but without the trials, there are no triumphs.
The passage above leaves the writer totally dependent on God. It is not hard to praise God when everything is falling in place. It is even possible to praise God when most things fall apart. But the man (or woman) of God should be able to praise Him when everything falls apart. Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him.
Certainly, if a man who lived before any of the Bible was written, before there was an Israel, if he could praise God in the face of excruciating death; and if a prophet who watched as everything he loved and believed in was being attacked and destroyed, if he could trust God, then CERTAINLY those who know and trust Christ can have, should have, will have faith, joy, peace, hope, strength, and they should not be shrouded in morbidity, distress, discouragement, depression.
A good dose of Scripture can help restore the joy of salvation. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
