The last verses of the prophet, Habakkuk, give us the beautiful words of an All-Conquering Faith!
"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 herds in the stalls: Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
These verses really challenge my heart in these beginning days of 2019! It may seem quite easy to be happy and cheerful when everything is going well -- when we are enjoying all the comforts of an affluent lifestyle, etc., but if these comforts are taken away, it is easy for us to be tempted to feel discouraged, defeated and all alone. But we should never be discouraged, for we have God's Holy Word, and He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us!
In fact, God has given us a command in I Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Notice that He did not say for every thing, but in every thing! Jesus, Himself, was our example in this for God's Word says in Hebrews 12:2 -- "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
And we read this wonderful promise in II Corinthians 4:17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." So let us be encouraged, and --
"Turn our eyes upon Jesus -- look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."
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