“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there 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; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Chip Ingram spoke on Hope today. “Listen to it now.”
We are all swimming against the currents of our own lives.
So, when it’s tough, I open the Word as I’ve become accustomed to do. It’s refreshing, right? I keep a bookmark in Habukkuk where it’s written: “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”
But it’s what comes before this “pearl” that is so critically important…
“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
In hopelessness I have hope.
– Habakkuk
Key to Spiritual maturity is absorbing, internalizing and then overflowing with the knowledge that Jesus is enough. He’s all I need. Further, what a glorious privilege it is to have a relationship with the Creator. Nothing compares to that.
It’s the conviction and genuine perception of the reality and enormity of God that shows me that my troubles are vanishingly small.
While I struggle each day, doing what I can – sometimes making “headway” in the river of life… sometimes NOT! … My hope is firmly anchored in the assurance of meeting Him one day. It’s all that matters. The rest is just the labor of life. I’m a worker in the vineyard of the Lord. My wage is due when the light of the final day of my life is dusk. That compensation is to be with Him, ever after. When the new day dawns I will see Him face to face. Every expectation I have is met, right there.
AW Tozer said: Fight sin, possess nothing, make no defense, slander no one and Give god the glory.
Sufficient for the purpose of a Christian walk. Amen.
The appendix I would add to being a worker for the Kingdom is that life brings me many joyful, happy experiences — eye opening and astonishing insight and understanding flow from trials and tribulation. These aren’t the circumstances I would dream up for myself. They are appointed to me, and I’m anointed for them — If I’ll walk in the presence of the Lord. Appreciating my “lack” is anchored in being present and accounted for in my relationship with God – perceiving each blessing and lesson. Being full of gratitude for it all.
Narrow Way Cafe 