Yet I Will Rejoice

Just reading my favourite verses again from Habbakuk 3:17-19. I feel like I can relate to Habbakuk a bit.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on to the heights."

I look at Habbakuk's situation and see little hope. But instead of just looking at his situation and feeling depressed, he turns to God and finds his joy in Him. I need to do the same, but I have to admit I'm not good at it. I often spend more time worrying about my situation.

"Yet I will rejoice."

I've reflected on this passage many times before, but I seem to keep forgetting what God's taught me. I need to be constantly reminded of my need to look to God and find my joy in Him alone, to fall at His feet and to worship Him, rather than to focus on my situation.

Here's what I wrote earlier this year, after a few months of this difficult season, or maybe that's when I last revisited it? Maybe I'd written it a year or so before? The document properties tell me I created it in 1904, I don't think so!

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My heart’s desire is that in any and every situation I find myself in, I will say these four significant words that were so wonderfully penned by Habakkuk: “Yet I will rejoice”.

To better understand the significance of these four words, we need to know what was happening in Habakkuk’s life at the time he wrote them.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on to the heights.

For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like Habakkuk has much to rejoice in at all. In fact his situation seems pretty dire. But, you see, it’s not Habakkuk’s situation that causes him to rejoice, it’s God! It’s God, His Saviour, who makes Him joyful. It’s God, His Sovereign Lord, who is his strength. It’s God who makes his feet like the feet of a deer and enables him to go on to the heights. It’s all about God! Yes, because of God he can rejoice.

And because of God we can rejoice. If I look at the situation I find myself in, I may be far from rejoicing, but if look to God, my Strength, I want to rejoice!

Four simple words. Simple, yet so significant.

Yet I will rejoice. Despite my situation. No matter what is happening around me. Regardless of how I feel. YET I will rejoice.

Yet I will rejoice. My relationship with God is a personal one. In response to who He is, I will rejoice.

Yet I will rejoice. It’s my choice. I choose to rejoice. No strings attached. It’s not a maybe, if I feel like it. I WILL rejoice.

Yet I will rejoice. Rejoice isn’t a word we use so often anymore. The dictionary defines it like this ‘feel or show great joy’. People will look and see the joy in my eyes. Yet, I will REJOICE!