HOPE FOR HARD TIMES
“ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; 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, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”- Hab. 3:17-18
Believe it or not, the answer to our anxiety, help for our hurts, strength for our struggles, solution for our sins and the means to miracles is trust in God. Yet when you tell folks “you just need to trust God for your need” you can tell that most of them are offended by it. They act as though you are insulting them or that you lack empathy.
Although we are simply declaring what God’s word says they don’t like it. It’s as though they are saying “Surely there is some solution for my situation besides trusting God”. Even thought they don’t say it, that’s the impression most folks leave.
Since what you’re doing isn’t working for you, I suggest that rather than try to survive and thrive by other means that you make God’s Word your first line of defense. Ponder the precious promises of God and you will find faith that produces peace. Examine the examples of those who trusted God and you will find both instruction and inspiration.
Stop acting as though peace isn’t possible, joy isn’t justified, and that love has limits. God isn’t dead, sick, or missing. How about giving Him the credit He deserves. Has He ever failed? Although He hasn’t always given in to the whims of man He has never failed anyone.
Look to God’s Word and see the testimonies of those who placed their faith in God during the most difficult days of their lives. Do you hear any complaints against Him? Of course not. Why then do you fail to se faith in God as you greatest need as to the solution for your situation? It is to be expected that sometimes our faith isn’t as strong as it ought to be, but there’s something we can do about that. As Paul said in Rom. 10:17 “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. Do you believe that? So how much time do you spend in the word – reading, meditating, studying, and praying? If you fail in this don’t complain about a failure in faith. if we ignore the means appointed by God we have no right or reason to feel that He has shortchanged us.
Let me end with this suggestion. If this is one of those days when you’re down in the dumps, spend some time studying Hab. 3:17-18. it’s the account of a person who has lost everything, yet enabled to “rejoice in the Lord – joy in the God” of his salvation. If he could you should and you can – if you trust the Lord. That doesn’t mean that He will grant all your wishes, remove all your pain, fill your empty cupboards, make a deposit in your bank account, restore your broken relationships, or increase your IQ. However, it does assure us that His grace will be sufficient to get us through anything providence brings us to ( 2 Cor. 12:9). And that’s reason to rejoice! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
