You worked hard doing everything right, so you should expect a profit, a reward for your labor, or some kind of positive outcome, but the reverse happens. What do you do then?
An obscure ancient prophet in the Bible has some advice for you. He said, "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©
ABSOLUTE DISASTER
These words describe an absolute disaster for a person living in an agrarian culture. All their resources, investments, and labor are tied up in these things, and when there are no results, there is nothing left but poverty loss and possibly (In ancient times) slavery.
HOW DO HIS WORDS MAKE SENSE?
At first glance, you say, "How does that make sense?" But if you look deeper, you see it is the only thing that makes sense.
All those material things, like sheep in the pens and grapes on the vine, do not compare to God.
Crops, like bank accounts, are transitory, uncertain, and fluctuating in value. They do not influence the world around them but are influenced by countless forces against them.
ON THE OTHER HAND- GOD
On the other hand, God is true, eternal, faithful, righteous, holy, the master of creation, commanding nature and nations, and owning all things. Add to all these wonderful truths about God that He loves you and sent His son to redeem you and bring you into a relationship with him.
Our relationship with God gives us value and purpose. He gives us his caring love, and his promise to provide for those who serve him is without end; it is forever.
A RELATIONSHIP THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The ancient prophet could say that he would rejoice in the Lord and be joyful in God, his Savior because his relationship with God was richer than the wealth of the fields.
RESOLVE
Sometimes, setbacks and personal disasters drive us into God's arms because of our desperation and brokenness. But the Prophet Habakkuk did not wait until then; he was resolved to rejoice in God.
His attitude required not only a relationship with God but also faithfulness toward God, a faithfulness that is expressed in resolve. He was determined and committed to rejoice in God and his Savior no matter what circumstances or Divine Providence brought.
Anyone can rejoice in God when they are blessed, and everything is going well. It is more wonderful and a blessing to purposely rejoice in God during difficult times.
I hope you are encouraged by my musings.
Grace and Peace
A. E. Dozat
