DEVOTION – DAY 149

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Loving God In Every Situation”

 

Habakkuk 3:17-18 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.

 

Many of us have no problem trusting God when everything in our lives goes smoothly. But it is different when life seems to be troublesome. That is when some people start to doubt God and wonder if God has turned His back on them. They might even become angry with God for allowing trouble and suffering to come into their lives. But Habakkuk 3:17-18 reminds us that the true test of our faith is when we learn to praise God and continue to rejoice in Him in the face of current sufferings and troubles. These verses remind us that there are times in our lives when everything goes wrong. In Habakkuk’s day, people farm and rear animals for a living. So, when fruit trees fail to produce fruits, the vineyards offer no crop, the fields produce no food and the animal pens are empty – people may face disaster and starvation. In spite of such failures, if we can still rejoice in the Lord and remain joyful in Him, it means that our faith in and love for God is not dependent on how much God blesses us. This is true faith and love for God. We are able to tell God we have faith in Him. We love Him in good times and in bad times.

We know a Christian couple who were blessed with children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. They both had careers and actively served their church until old age. But they also faced times of suffering in the form of cancer and later Alzheimer’s disease. When asked if this affected the way they looked towards God, the husband replied as Job did that “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” He knew that in this fallen world we live in, nobody is free from suffering. Suffering drew him and his wife closer to the Lord.

On the other hand, we know another Christian couple who were blessed by God.  They were blessed with children and successful careers. But there was a change in fortune, and troubles came. They started blaming each other, other people and even God. The husband even turned his back on God. They had failed to realize that God never promised that He would provide happiness. God promised them He would be with them through life’s ups and downs. The first couple chose to rejoice in the Lord and kept their faith and love for God. The second couple chose to grumble and complain. They allowed their faith and love for God to be affected by their current circumstances.

Let us pray: Dear Father, thank you for strengthening us with your presence in our lives in every situation. Please help us to love you and remain faithful in you always in good and bad times. In the great name of the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why is it important for us to remain faithful and to rejoice in the Lord even though we may face suffering and challenges? Discuss.
  2. What is your natural reaction to God when you face challenges and when God seems not to respond to the way you expect?
  3. What should be your response in the light of this devotion?
  4. How can you continue to trust and love God even when things do not go smoothly for you? Discuss