Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit 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 triumph in Yahweh;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Yahweh my Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!
Habakkuk 3:17-19
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I am claiming this verse today…and I am placing my needs before His feet. Fig trees and olive crops are symbols for the things of this world that we may lack at this very moment. August is always hard here. School is looming and there are always needs: clothes, shoes, school supplies (and now with one in college), the list goes on…and on. But isn’t God so much bigger than any of these? {yes!}
It’s funny how God leads me to certain verses on the days that i write…and it always is something that I need to hear and to pass along to you. What are you believing God for today? Are you struggling to believe at all? Sometimes things feel so desperate (and, truly, they may be). There may be no food in the pantry and no money to go purchase any. Or a really big bill is due and you have absolutely no idea how you are going to pay it. Or an illness and a bad report has you feeling like there is no hope at all.
But the good news is this: There is always hope in Jesus!
I know that my sound cliche but it is so true! If you put all your hope and all your efforts into just praising Him today—though the problems may still be there—there will be joy in place of sorrow! Hope will replace hopelessness and praise will replace pity. We may not get to choose the circumstances in our lives but we can choose how we react to them. (I am preaching to myself!)
Fear and worry are stealers, and they come straight from the enemy who wants nothing more than to rob you of all you have. He especially wants to take your hope away. But if we let him have that…we have let him win. The enemy doesn’t go after your salvation. He can’t have it! But he can take the peace that comes with the salvation that Jesus gave His own life for us to have. One of my favorite passages is Psalms 23. It was one of the first ones that I learned in elementary school and it is one that has gotten me through a lot of hard times. In verse 4 is says:
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.
Today, as you read this verse, fill in the blank with your own valley.
Even when I walk through ________,
I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
And know beyond a shadow of a doubt that whatever it is you wrote down, that your God is able to do this and so much more. Claim it with me today…and enjoy the sunshine today!
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Let us pray: Dear God, You are so full of love for us and Your grace is sufficient for every minute that we breathe. You are the same always; You never change. Thank You for Your provision and Your hand in everything that we go through. You waste nothing, oh Lord! I pray today for all these friends reading this today, that You would give them back their joy and peace, oh God! And that nothing that the enemy throws at them can take away the hope that they have in You. Silence his lies today and everyday. Remind them that feelings are feelings but that Your Word is truth. Lead them to the truth today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
