How do you respond when life gets tough? Whether we like it or not, sooner or later, our life will take a turn for the worse. That's not pessimism. That's reality. Someone will get horribly sick. Someone will lose their job. Someone will mistreat us. Someone will die. Something is going to happen that could send us into a tailspin.
So, given that there are certainly mountaintop experiences but th...ere will also be times of trouble, we need to determine how we will respond to those negative circumstances when they come.
The book of Habakkuk helps us to come to a right conclusion in this matter. The prophet Habakkuk began this Old Testament book that bears his name by complaining to God. He knew that because of Judah's sin and their unrepentant heart that God was going to bring the wicked Babylonian army against them. The Israelites would die from battle, famine, and disease.
As Habakkuk looked into the future of his nation, it was dark. He knew that if he relied upon those depressing future circumstances for his joy, he would remain depressed. So, he focused his attention not upon his circumstances but upon His God. As he trusted God, he knew that even in dire circumstances, he would be ok. In fact, he could even have a deep seated joy amid the turmoil.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19 - New Living Translation)
So, given that there are certainly mountaintop experiences but th...ere will also be times of trouble, we need to determine how we will respond to those negative circumstances when they come.
The book of Habakkuk helps us to come to a right conclusion in this matter. The prophet Habakkuk began this Old Testament book that bears his name by complaining to God. He knew that because of Judah's sin and their unrepentant heart that God was going to bring the wicked Babylonian army against them. The Israelites would die from battle, famine, and disease.
As Habakkuk looked into the future of his nation, it was dark. He knew that if he relied upon those depressing future circumstances for his joy, he would remain depressed. So, he focused his attention not upon his circumstances but upon His God. As he trusted God, he knew that even in dire circumstances, he would be ok. In fact, he could even have a deep seated joy amid the turmoil.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19 - New Living Translation)
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