Scripture:
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV
[17] 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— [18] Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. [19] 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.
Observation:
In case you couldn’t tell due to this SOAP being so late. It was hard to get out of bed today. When life hits sometimes it hits real hard. That doesn’t give us a reason not to participate… we still have to get in the game. I’m not sure exactly how much time I can put into this this morning, but I felt like it was important not to allow the enemy any more room, so when I found this scripture this morning I felt like it was something I needed to pay attention to. GOD has a wonderful why of putting HIS word in front of you at just the right time. Habakkuk takes a little different approach in his writings. Most all the prophets speak to the people on GOD’S behalf, seemingly questioning the behavior of GOD’S people to bring awareness to the fact that they are out of position with the LORD. However, Habakkuk’s approach is to talk to GOD on behalf of the people. Bringing into perspective HIS sovereignty. HE knows way more than we do, that’s something we just can’t forget. As I had the opportunity and privilege to read these few short verses this morning, one thing came to mind… it’s not always easy, GOD confirmed that by placing this word in front of me. So let’s take a quick look at what is being said. Habakkuk brings the attention to the fact that things are not going well, but as he does the phrase he choose to use starts with the word “THOUGH” a very important choice of words, in a way what he is saying is in spite of the fact things are not going his way he is still going to worship. This would is also found in the book of Job in a phrase that is somewhat more detrimental than anything Habakkuk had going on. I mean sure Habakkuk’s fruit trees were not producing, but Job was seemingly looking at the end of his life and said, “ Though HE slay me, yet I will trust HIM. The message spoken in these two passages is that worship for GOD can not be based on our circumstances, true worship does not depend on what HE does or does not do. This brings my mind to a statement made by Jesus Christ when HE was speaking to the woman at the well. HE said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship HIM.” The power that comes from what is being presented in these verses can honestly set us free. What it does is, it takes us outside of what GOD can do for us, and brings into perspective that HE is sovereign.
Application:
What happens when you are living the best way you know how and the blessings seem to stop? Well I can tell you what happens to most of us. We tend to stop worshiping the one who opens up the windows of heaven. To me that poses an issue. That means our worship is of the blessing rather than the blesser. Our worship of GOD can not be because of what HE does for us. That’s just not true worship. To seek GOD’S face is the key. I want to know HIM not just HIS hand. Today things are just not going my way, but that does not mean I do not love GOD or that I can choose not to worship HIM, HE is the giver of life, HIS very breath but air into my lungs. Have you ever been the witness to someone having an asthma attack… I have. Even though they are struggling to breathe they are grateful for every breath. We can’t give up on GOD just because things are not going our way, HE is the author and finisher of our faith. Praising HIM in the hard times is just as important as lifting our hands when everything is going our way as well. Job went through some hard times, but he never took his eyes off of GOD’S sovereignty, he knew that GOD has a reason for everything. All he could do is worship HIM regardless of his circumstances. The thing is if we are worshiping GOD only because HE is blessing us when the blessings stop so will the worship. As the time of Christ’s return draws near this will be tested. What will you do when the blessings seem to stop? What will you do when things seem to be going the opposite way that you have been taught in church? I believe that GOD wants to bless us. But if that’s the only reason we live for HIM. We need to look out. What I am saying is that GOD is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in times of need, HE is close to the broken hearted, HIS word is the lamp to our feet in dark times and the light unto our path when we can’t see where to step. Praise HIM regardless of what you have or where you are in life.
Prayer:
Father, we lift up our lives to you. You know exactly what we need today. We are not asking for your blessings, we are asking for your will. Whatever that is, we surrender to your sovereignty and trust that you know best. Guide us to what you would have us do next. Our circumstances do not determine our worship of you and our worship of you may not change our circumstances but that will not be the deciding factor of whether or not we will worship you. We love you regardless of whether or not you bless us, we love you because of who you are, not what you can do. Our lives have been purchased by the blood of the lamb and that is our testimony. Your will is our desire, lead us to what you have next for us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.