In Difficult Times, I will rejoice In The Lord
A sermon by Pastor Delmar Callaway
Habakkuk 3
v17: Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;
though the labour of the olive may fail. And the field yields no food; though the flock be
cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls.
v18: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk minor prophet. This writing took place sometime during 605 B.C.
Habakkuk had been perplexed by the events that had been happening to God's people.
Habakkuk could not understand how a righteous and just God could stand by and see his people
being unjustly treated. Maybe at this time Habakkuk did not or could not fully understand the
character of God. Habakkuk had a problem with what was happening to the people of God.
He saw the ungodly and the unrighteous prospering in their ways. He saw them treating God's
people unjustly.
Habakkuk decided that he would question God. His first question was concerning with social
injustious. Habakkuk had been praying about this for some time. But now he questioned God
concerning the condition. There was wide spread violence watch have broken the justice,
processes Habakkuk declared that the law was slack and there was no judgement.
2-5 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!
Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me
iniquity and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: and
there are those that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and
judgements never go forth: for the wicked compass about the righteous; therefore wrong
judgement proceedeth. God declared that he would use a bitter and hast nation as the
instrument or correction. For I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe.
Habakkuk expresses his astonishment that a holy God would use such an
instrument to accomplish his purpose. Why would he permit a brutal invader to
wage war that involves the innocent with the guilty? Causing him to destroy the righteous
with the unrighteous. We see today because of a nation's sin we as a people of God may suffer,
Roman 8:28 Saying all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, and called
according to his purpose. And then the Psalmist saying we need not fret ourselves because of
evil doers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity for they shall soon be cut
down like the grass, and whither as the green herb.
I know sometimes and many times it seems like the unjust are prospering and the
righteous has been forsaken, but we must remember that God has promised never will I
leave you, nor forsake you. After questing and talking to God and hearing God reply Habakkuk
said,
Although the fig tree shall not blossom
yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
Although there shall not be fruit in the vines
yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
Although the labour of the olive shall fail
yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
Although the fields shall yield no meat
yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
Although the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no
herd in the stalls
yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
And I thought about the life of Job, how God allowed Satan, to take everything Job had and Job
was facing death. But Job, said, although you slay me, yet will I trust you.
And Habakkuk said, although...., yet will I rejoice in the Lord. I will rejoice in the
Lord of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength and He will make my feet like hinds'
feet, and He will make me walk upon mine high places.
Therefore, I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
When we look and see the condition that this present world is in sometimes we become
discouraged and we begin to question God, but we must remember that we are serving a
true and living God. We're serving a God that sits high and looks low. A God that has all
power in His hands, a God that is able to destroy, and a God that will defend His own.
So regardless of the problems and solutions God is still in control.
I will rejoice in the Lord, for he has assure me in his word that he would not
leave me nor will he forsake me, and told us, in this world that we would have trials and
tribulation in this present world but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.
Although the dark clouds may rise, the stormy wind may blow, the thunder may roll,
the lightening may flash and the rain may fall
YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD.
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