Rejoicing Despite, Singing in Despair

Today’s Scripture Threshings for Saturday, February 9 , 2019

Today’s Text: Habakkuk 3:1–19

Key Verse: ”Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (vv. 17,18, ESV)

I watched my cousin and her husband sing “great is thy faithfulness O Lord my father; there is no shadow of turning with thee” during the darkest moment of an intense shadow of sorrow last November. Their trembling voice in praise of the unquestionable God reverberated the voice of Habakkuk in my heart. Never have the words “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” become so real to me.

Tragedy can come in many forms—the loss of a loved one, an illness, the loss of wealth or even our livelihood. And it can happen to anyone at any time. The prophet Habakkuk saw tragedy coming, Babylon was unavoidably going to invade Judah. His heart was no doubt struck with fear — with evidence of his heart pounding, his lips quivering, and his legs trembling (v..16). He was an example of how anguish overwhelms any man in the face of tragedy. But he also exemplifies that our anguish doesn’t have to immobilize us though we may not understand the trials we are going through. Like Habakkuk, we can comfort ourselves of God’s faithfulness in history (vv. 3-15). Like his, this may not dispel our fear, but like him, it will give us the courage to ride on our winds by choosing to sing instead of sink (v. 18).

We serve a God whose character doesn’t change whether in the face of pain or gain. An awareness of this gives us a confident voice to sing despite our nights that the “God of our salvation is our strength; and makes our feet like the deer’s; he makes us tread on our high places.

Quote for the Day: “Whether in the face of fame or in the face of flames, genuine faith does not seek to understand; but it undertakes for God.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, when our world seems turned upside down, help me to trust You. Remind me O Lord of how you have always been faithful to me. In Jesus’ most precious name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayer,

Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,

Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA

Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org

BBMme: E3F988D2

[Today’s Scripture Threshings is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]

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