February 21: The Source of Our Joy

“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” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

When God’s people suffer hard things in this life, our source of joy remains the same. Though creature comforts are a blessing to be enjoyed, they are never the real source of our joy. We joy in our salvation, like Habakkuk says, even if the externals fade away. If we get this straight, we are able to walk through hard times and continue to rejoice in the midst of them. But how do we do this?

The first thing we must do is cultivate a culture of gratitude in our homes. Gratitude for everything all the time. If we are grateful for the sunshine, we are also grateful for the drizzle and gray, remembering it’s those wet days that bring the food to the table.

Secondly, we admire His Providence. We receive all things from God’s hand, knowing He is sovereign over all, and orders all things for our good and His glory.

Third, we believe His promises. He is true to His Word. The Lord is our strength and help. This is why we can joy in our salvation and rejoice in the Lord no matter what’s in the cupboards or in the bank account. We can joy in Him though we have loved ones who are sick or in trouble. We trust Him.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…(Rom. 8:35). “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38).

The source of our joy is always the same, despite changing circumstances. Nothing can change this. Nothing can get in between you and your joy in the Lord.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand” (Phil 4:4-5).