” 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.“– Habakkuk 3:17-18

Those who know me know that these are some of my favorite verses. They have challenged, comforted, and changed me for nearly half a century. The following is an excellent treatment of these scriptures and I hope a blessing to you!

 

“What a wonderful encouragement from such a dark and discouraging prophecy!

 

While the prophet Habakkuk struggled with the fact that God was going to send a terrible and decimating judgment on rebellious Israel, he eventually came to realize that God is sovereign. Although God’s chastening may not feel good, or yield immediate fruit, it is always right and good and it is always his prerogative to allow it.

 

Habakkuk ends the record of his struggles with this great declaration: although suffering may come, although pleasures and provision may run dry, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. The Lord, not my surroundings, is my salvation!

 

Habakkuk’s profound response to the horror he and his people are about to face is, quite simply, faith in God. It is faith which does not depend on circumstances to be sustained. It is faith which does not require prosperity or mental/emotional acuity to persist. It is faith which is able to say when the storm clouds gather, “Thy will be done.”

 

Habakkuk had come to know that God was beautiful. And he could see that whatever God had for him was the very best. Only true faith can say that. Only true faith can see God as “the God of my salvation” when joyful deliverance seems so elusive and God himself so distant. May that faith be yours today.” (Baptist Bible Hour)

“And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”–Mark 5:18-19

In Eph. 5:20 Paul says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”. Thanksgiving is both an attitude and an act. Being thankful is one thing actually “giving” thanks is another. We are commanded to put our attitude into action by expressing it. The importance of this can be seen in the following illustration by Pastor Jack Graham.

“A defendant is sitting quietly in a courtroom as his life hangs in the balance. He knows he’s innocent, and only the testimony of the next witness can exonerate him. And if this witness testifies, he’ll no doubt be set free.

His lawyer stands up and tells the jury, “Ladies and gentlemen. I’m not going to call the next witness. Instead, I’m just going to tell you that what he has to say will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that my client is innocent of all charges.” The attorney sits down and rests his case.

That makes no sense at all, does it? Why wouldn’t he call his most powerful witness to give his testimony? Why would he simply trust the jury to believe his statement? A testimony is crucial here. You can state the truth, but an actual testimony is so much more powerful.

When it comes to sharing their testimonies of faith, many Christians are sinfully silent. But a testimony of the thankfulness you have for what Christ has done for you is the most powerful evangelism tool you have. Share your story of faith with others and let them know how God has changed your life… and can change theirs too!”

MAKE YOUR TESTIMONY OF FAITH KNOWN TO THE LOST IN YOUR LIFE AND LET THEM KNOW HOW GOD CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES TOO!

“Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash.” 2 Kings 14:3

The life of a godly parent is a daily sermon.

It has been said, “The children of godly parents go to church every day!”

Never doubt for a moment, that genuine piety and eminent holiness are the first requisites for all parents. No parent can expect to influence their children for good, without themselves walking wisely and worthily in the narrow path of holiness.

Here may be seen the reason that sound faithful teaching in Sunday schools, has comparatively effected so little good. It is not the fault of the church–but in the home’s pernicious influence! The evil that is witnessed at home, more than counteracts the lessons learned at church!

It is the will of God that parents should exercise control over their children. They must command that which is right–and they must forbid that which is wrong. It was spoken to the praise of Abraham, that God knew that he would command his children after him to keep the way of the Lord. It was the overthrow of the house of Eli, that his sons made themselves vile–and he did not restrain them.

In Scripture children are compared to arrows–but all depends upon the direction given to the arrow by the hand that guides it.

They are compared to vine branches–but an unpruned vine will bear no fruit worth gathering. So it is written, “A child left to himself brings his mother to shame!”

In training their children, let parents begin early. Long before a child is two years old, it will know the meaning of an emphatic “No.” Even at that tender age, some measure of discipline may begin.

Yield not to the self-will or pettishness of a child. What you once say–let it be law. Without some special cause–do not turn from it. Especially punish lying and disobedience–they are the root of all that is evil.

Yet with firmness, be very gentle. Harshness is a cold wind, that nips in the bud the beginnings of better things in the heart. Byron’s character was ruined by the cruelty of a harsh and unfeeling mother.

Win your children by love. Draw, rather than drive.

Make home the happiest place in the world to them.
(George Everard, “A Blessing in the Family!” 1866)

As you count your blessings during this Thanksgiving, and thank God for what you have, have you ever thought about giving thanks for things you don’t have? Among the many things that could be mentioned is this– you don’t know the future! James MacDuff wrote, “There is no more gracious provision for our happiness, than what is contained in that brief saying of Scripture, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow…” James 4:14

If we knew in full, in this grief-stricken world, all that would befall us in the future — how sad would existence be! It would leave even prosperity without a note of gladness; for the certainty of losing our blessings, would rob us of all their enjoyment while we retained them. And thus moments of unbounded pleasure, would be clouded with the dark characters of anticipated sorrow.

How would the mother’s joy be marred, as the object of her tender solicitude and affection was sporting by her side, or as she hung over the infant cradle — if she could pry with certainty into the future, and read the mournful sequel of that little history — the lingering sickness, the early grave, the blighted hopes, the desolated household, the broken heart. To know the future, would convert the few brief years of possession of her blessing, into consecutive hours of agony — the consciousness and foreknowledge that every moment was drawing nearer the fatal one — sitting by Time’s sand-glass and marking grain by grain, as they dropped and fell, until the last grain of the diminishing heap announced, “The long-dreaded hour has arrived!”

But, thank God that the future is veiled! The storm and coming wreck are concealed, in order that the calm of the present waveless sea may be enjoyed.

Yes, we again say, thank God for hiding the future, and allowing us only to be conversant with the joys and sorrows of today.

““Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow…” James 4:14

Wow! That seems like the understatement of the year! Can you imagine what it must have been like to witness such a glorious event as the transfiguration of Christ and the sight of Moses and Elijah? That would be the shock of a lifetime, a day we would never forget. But what does it matter to those living today? We have no reason to expect such a revelation in our lifetime. Many people begin the day by dreading it and are quick to complain about things that haven’t even happened yet. A new day has arrived but to them it is nothing special. However, there is a sense in which we can apply this statement to ourselves. As James Smith wrote–” It is good to live and walk in communion with God. It is good to be numbered with God’s people, and to occupy a place in His church.

It is good to be in the present world, because we have an opportunity of bearing witness for Jesus, and against its course; we have talents to use, and opportunities for usefulness whereby we can glorify God. Is Jesus honoured by our patient suffering?

Then, when on the bed of affliction, we should say, “Lord, it is good to be here.” Is our God glorified by our industry, forbearance, and testimony to the power and grace of Jesus?

Then, when in our business, or in company with those whom we are trying to benefit, we may exclaim, “Lord, it is good to be here!”

Yes, Christian, it is good to be any where, and any thing, so that thy Jesus may be glorified, and the end of thy creation, redemption, and sanctification obtained. Oh, to aim always to honour God, and then we may every where say, “Lord, it is good to be here.“