Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crops 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 savoir.–Habakkuk 3:17-18
There is an amazing message in the above text. It is a message of faith. Habakkuk is telling God in this prayer that even though I do not know where my next meal is coming from or how we are going to survive, I trust you Lord and therefore I will rejoice in you and be joyful because I KNOW that as long as you are still God, you will save us. On the surface, God’s dominion is not always visible, but a man of faith knows without a doubt that God is sovereign and can do all things, even make something out of nothing!
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. If you can see it with your natural eyes, then you do not really need faith. Faith sees only with the spiritual eyes and hopes with an expectant heart. Faith tells us that God exists even though we cannot see Him. Faith tells us that with God, nothing is impossible. Faith helps us to believe without a doubt that we can do what the world and our circumstances might tell us that we cannot do. Faith made the woman with the issue of blood, the blind, the cripple, and the dead become well and come to life again. Faith moves mountains. Most importantly, faith moves the heart of God! The Lord loves to work through the faith of believers.
Faith defeated Goliath, faith saved Daniel from the lion’s den, faith delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery flames, faith put Jesus in Mary’s womb, faith forgave Mary Magdalene, faith saved Isaac from death, faith raised Lazarus from death. How? The Lord worked through their faith! Kind of like grace through faith...we bring the faith, and the unmerited grace of God works through that to bring about our salvation. Brethren, what has faith done for you lately?
Search the Scriptures and read through the testimonies of those who lived by faith. Do you see how their faith moved the heart of God? Do you see how He acted on their behalf? Though your current situation may be bleak and seemingly hopeless, I encourage you to consider Habakkuk's faith as exemplified in the verses above and ask the Lord to give you the strength to stand firm in faith through it all. I challenge you today to truly become men and women of faith!
Grace and peace be with you.
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THOUGH THE FIG TREE DOES NOT BUD...