TRUST GOD
Hab 3:17 – 19 “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: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 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.”
We all know that we are living in difficult times. Hard economic times, pressing finances, concern regarding the future and security, and so on. We can very quickly compile a long list. I also read in the Bible regarding the end times and what need to happen beforehand and I see it happening around me. I see churches and organizations planning events asking God to intervene and change situations. Thousands upon thousands of people attend these events to seek God’s face. Some are very sincere in doing this but other only attend to be able to say: “I’ve been there!” Each will confess his or her sincerity one day before God. Many churches and preachers bring conflicting messages using the Bible as confirmation. This leads to people arguing bringing insecurity and division. Therefore it is of UTMOST importance to take note of Eph 4:12 – 15 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” The real reason behind us being tossed about and deceived is us not knowing Scripture nor the power of God. May the Holy Spirit urge you to know your Scriptures and teach you to live in the power of God.
Let us return to Habakkuk. The Lord speaks about crops failing, failing of the olive trees, flocks being stolen and no herds in the stalls. We also have failure in our own lives. Plans made for the future not realising, finances tumbling down, many marriages struggling and ending in divorce, hopes and trust crumbling, children rebelling against authority and clinging to addictions and so on. We all can testify regarding this.
BUT, I have a choice. I can either look back at all the failures in my life or I can choose to look forward and stand on the Word of God! Yes, there will be difficult and testing times. The question is: How will I handle it? Hab 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Yet means IN SPITE OF! I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. I read in Ps 9:14 “That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.” I have the choice to speak of God and praise Him also in difficult times. Ps 13:5 says: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” Here I read about trust!! This however is where we fall short and struggle. To what extent am I willing to trust God. It is not easy to trust God unconditionally if times are tough. This is where we need the Holy Spirit to help and enable us. Only with His help will we be able to get to Luk 1:46 & 47 “…My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
Hab 3:19 “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.” This is a promise of God. To get this promise I must trust and praise Him, I must grow in Christ, I must start climbing the high places, so I must start doing! Then I read in Deut 33:29 “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” What an expectation! Victory over my failures and situations.
“Lord Jesus, please help me through the Holy Spirit to have an unconditional trust in You. Help me to grow in Your Word, to know Your Word and to live in Your power. Amen.”