Habakkuk 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.
This passage of scripture gives us hope. It describes a near hopeless situation full of trial and struggle with livelihood and food sources failing, but the author still says he will Rejoice and have joy. The word ‘yet’ carries a lot of weight in this passage. In spite of every failing part of life, the Lord is still our salvation, our strength and our reason. He pours out strength when we hold on to the ‘yet.’
Job 13:13-17
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
Job endured many things that would have destroyed many people. He suffered great loss and disappointment. He placed his trust in God. No circumstance kept him from trusting God. Circumstances do not dictate the goodness of God. God is always good and always ready to answer the need. We need to trust him no matter what that answer may be. Job said even if God slayed him, he would still trust him. He didn’t ask for a specific answer, he trusted God to work on his behalf.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
We can rejoice always and still rejoice in the middle of a situation just because of who God is. We may not understand a problem or situation, but we know the One with the answers. We can rejoice always in knowing the Savior.
Psalms 18:32-36
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
Another wonderful promise is that God equips us and will provide what we need. He wraps us up in his strength and places us where he needs us. He gives us the armor and the weapons needed to fight the battle, to persevere and overcome. He will pick us up, lead us, protect us and be the strength we need to make it through the battle. It is not in us alone, but in him we find what we need to push through.
2 Samuel 22:1, 30-37
And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
David understood God’s protection and leading in the midst of trials. He wrote about his experiences in the wilderness as he ran from King Saul. He knew God had strengthened him. Lead him, and protected him. He knew the salvation of the Lord. He had experienced it first hand. He had seen God’s promises given and unfold. These words he wrote are a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We can stand firm on these words That God is a strength and we can rejoice as David did. We can sing out praises before, during and after the struggle. God will keep his promises He will give us what we need to get through. We can trust him to bring us through.
Ephesians 2:3-7
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
God has extended his grace over our hardest trials and the worst choices of mankind. He chose to redeem us from the sin we were born into and the sin we chose. He knew the hard hearts, rebellion, doubt, fear and addiction. Yet, he chose us to pour out grace and mercy. We can yet rejoice in the salvation of the. Lord. Even when we are dead in sin, unable to save ourselves, He took great care for us. He redeemed us by his grace through the blood he shed all because of the great love He has for his children. We rejoice Not for the sin or the struggle, but for who great God is. He is our reason and the One who says, ‘yet’ over our lives of sin. Heaven rejoices over one soul who comes to Jesus. We have so much to thank him for. No matter the struggle, trial, or circumstance, yet will I rejoice the Lord.
