"REJOICE IN THE LORD!"

Habakkuk 3:17-18                (ESV)
"17 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,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."


We all go through tough times in life.  Someone may lose their employment.  Someone else may have a broke down automobile, or health issues, or bankruptcy!  Others may have to deal with the death of one of their children.  The bible says is Job 14:1 "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble."

Habakkuk informs us that he will "REJOICE IN THE LORD" even though his surroundings be less than desirable.  Can you imagine a farmer planting a crop, nurturing and tending that crop for weeks, only to see a storm come through before harvest time leaving no reward for the labors he expended?

We all invest our energies in various endeavors, trusting that our efforts will be rewarded with an increase.  But GOD is in control of the "earth and the fullness thereof" (Psalms 24:1) and HE will determine who does and doesn't get an increase.

A friend of mine is a successful businessman.  He readily admits there was a time when he was struggling in his business and didn't know if he was going to make it.  The darkness of those times must seem so far removed now.  Even though we may all experience "a few days and full of trouble", we are still commanded to "REJOICE IN THE LORD"!   I commit myself to HIM and to ever "REJOICE IN THE LORD" as I serve HIM!