Yet I Will Rejoice!

IMG_4891

This morning the following verse was a part of my time alone with God.                                                “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes 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 rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”  (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

These words pierce my soul with a reality that needs to be brought to my attention.  I confess that, in spite of the blessing of God’s hand upon my life, I selfishly want more… as if He hasn’t already given His all… His Son, to bear the weight of my sins, unconditional love, and the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven. I am wading waist deep in blessings in comparison to this verse.

Why am I not satisfied in Him? Seeds of selfishness, comparison, and greed send up tiny shoots in my soul, seeking nourishment provided by my self-centeredness. The garden may be small, but its presence keeps me focused on what I want for my life, what I don’t have, instead of seeking God’s will. And I do believe that sometimes Satan drops by and dumps a load of fertilizer on that secret garden, strengthening roots of dissatisfaction.

Now back to the Bible verse, which makes me realize if I can’t be content in the midst of the blessings what would I do if all were stripped away.  Would I still “rejoice in the LORD and be joyful in God, my Savior?” This question brings me face to face with my maturity or lack thereof in my relationship with the Lord…mostly the latter.

Daily, as I have never witnessed in my life-time, Christians are dying for their beliefs in the most horrific ways. And here I sit, sometimes disappointed because I can’t have what I want because it is not what God wants for me. He wants more, He has a better plan. I am so spoiled, my relationship more shallow than I want to admit. The reality check brings me to my knees in repentance and thanksgiving for who God is, how much He loves me and how blessed I am!

I am guilty of imposing a burden of guilt upon myself with these realizations when all God has for me is forgiveness and love. My prayer today is Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit within me.” And I rest in this promise of Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Today, I begin afresh with a new heart and dedicated focus on the Lord’s perfect will for my life. Today, I will practice praising Him in all things in hopes that, when He is the only thing, I will not fail to seek His face.  At this point I could say that I have my work cut out for me, but that is far from the truth. This is a work that I will step aside and allow God to accomplish in me as He walks by my side holding my hand, as I diligently seek Him. Walk with us! The journey is so much sweeter in His presence.  To God Be the Glory!

5 thoughts on “Yet I Will Rejoice!

Leave a Reply to presson1 Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.