Does any of this sound like your life? What else could go wrong, right? Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
However, he could rejoice because he had learned to rely on the steadfast love and faithfulness of the God he trusted. Although God's plan was not clear to Habakkuk, he had learned to trust God. He lived by faith and with this kind of faith comes rejoicing.
Do you know someone who never seems to be content or happy? They are constantly looking to the next new gadget or event to bring them fulfillment. They say things like, “I'd be happy if...” or "I'll be happy when..."
IF, IF, IF, WHEN, WHEN, WHEN... The truth is, things and events will never bring lasting joy. The ifs and whens may happen, but people will still find reasons to be discontent. This is why we cannot base our joy on the circumstances that surround our lives.
If we have a good job, can pay the bills, we have friends, are happily married and the children are doing well in school, we may be content, maybe even joyful. However, what if times get difficult? What if life is tough? What if we lose our job and there's no money to pay the bills? Maybe we don't have a good circle of friends and our marriage is on rocky ground. The children are failing in school and rebellious. What then? Can we still say as Habakkuk did, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord"?
The prophet Habakkuk lived in a day of uncertainty, much like we do. For all the questions that were raised in his lifetime about the future his response remained simple, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord". This was the prophet's response to uncertainty. Can we also respond as Habakkuk did? Can we trust the hand of God in the face of uncertain times and when we don't understand His plan?
6 Things We Can Learn From Habakkuk:
In the book of Habakkuk God use the wicked nation of Babylon for His divine purpose. How mysterious is that? His ways can be so mysterious and we don't always understand, but we are called to live by faith. Right in the middle of his book Habakkuk writes “the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). These same words are also quoted twice in the New Testament. First in Romans 1:17, and then again in Galatians 3:11. This only emphasizes the importance of living by faith and being able to say, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord".
We too can rejoice, no matter the circumstances. We can trust, no matter the outcome. We are complete in Jesus alone and in His steadfast love and faithfulness. We too can say, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord".
Here's a little homework assignment for you: Before you lay your head on your pillow tonight, write your own story of Habakkuk 3:17-18. Write it out! Paraphrase your life into those last two verses. Whatever problems you are facing, substitute those problems for Habakkuk’s. Then, when you come to the part where Habakkuk says, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord" will you tell God the same thing? I believe your heart will be encouraged when you do.
Please share your story in the comments and be an encouragement to others!
29 Comments
Deborah Harrison
3/1/2020 05:49:39 pm
I thank God for your understanding of this scripture and your ability to make it simple.
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3/8/2020 08:06:40 am
Thank you so much, Deborah!!! I love the opportunity to be a student of God's Word. There is so much there for our daily lives, and the privilege to hold a copy in my hands is something I hope I never take for granted!
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Elisapeta Peter Fuataga
3/28/2020 07:20:45 pm
Glory, Glory to the Lord God Almighty!!
Rowena Dejolde
4/21/2020 01:13:05 am
Praise God. Thank you for your interpretation. Perfectly understand. So much encourage.
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4/27/2020 07:01:44 pm
Thank you. You are very kind. I'm glad you are encouraged! God's Word is encouraging! :)
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Me
4/25/2020 03:05:44 pm
So should I rejoice even after rape? Even after my father has been murdered? Even after my boyfriend passed away? I thought good things happened to the righteous? Guess not.
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4/27/2020 07:00:44 pm
That is tough! I totally agree. It was difficult for me to rejoice when my sister was killed by a drunk driver. But now, I can see all the good that has come from it. Good and bad things happen to everyone, whether they are a believer or not. We are not immune to the wickedness of sin just because we are believers.
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Kyra B
10/19/2020 07:35:53 am
I'm so sorry for your losses. Remember that God is faithful through ALL of our suffering. Even if all hope seems to be lost, God is still there, fighting for you, on your side, holding onto you, and He will never, ever let you go.
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Jennifer Harrell
11/7/2020 08:34:46 pm
Thank you for your interpretation of the book of Habakkuk. It truly inspired and encouraged me as well.
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12/8/2020 05:54:39 pm
It is such an encouraging book, Jennifer. I enjoy studying it. I NEED THIS! I hope that you find the answers you need for your health issues very soon!
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Eunice Amoako-Gill
12/27/2020 05:09:04 am
I had a dream of someone asking me to read the book of Habakuk. I read it but made no sense to me until I found your page. So glad I discovered it. May the Holy Spirit continue to give you the wisdom of interpretation.Thank you so much.
Lejuane
11/21/2020 03:20:05 am
Paraphrase Habakkuk 3:17-18
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12/8/2020 05:56:09 pm
Lejuane, I love how you just prayed Habakkuk 3:17-18! That is BEAUTIFUL!
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jennifer nolan
11/22/2020 09:13:28 pm
Though I look at the world and wonder what is going on.
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Sophia
12/6/2020 09:54:04 am
Though, I have no friends
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12/8/2020 05:59:41 pm
Yes, Sophia, He is our Rock! I was just reading today about the Holy Spirit and all that He is to us—counselor, advocate, strengthener, helper, intercessor, guide, friend... We are never alone, even in our darkest hour. Thank you for these encouraging words!
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Janet
12/7/2020 01:33:46 am
Thank you very much for this post. I am blessed beyond measure. And I can boldly profess that through all my pains and struggles, through all my fears and tears, yet, I will rejoice in the Lord.
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12/8/2020 06:01:49 pm
Studying Habakkuk was such an encouragement to me, Janet. I'm glad it was encouraging to you as well! Yet I will rejoice... :)
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Salo
12/18/2020 06:00:14 am
My baby, 18 months old, had an accident and was in the hospital with a hemiplegie, paralized on his right sight. The Lord comforted me with a song of Maralyn Baker: " He gives joy to the hopeless, peace to the weary, and He binds up the broken hearted" And I rejoiced in Him...Now is he 39 years old and has a family of his own with 2 little children, 1 and 2 years old...God is good and always in control...
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1/3/2021 09:32:53 am
What a beautiful song, Salo! " He gives joy to the hopeless, peace to the weary, and He binds up the broken hearted" <— I LOVE THAT! And what a lovely testimony of God's grace and mercy! Blessings to you and your family!
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Gwendolyn Jones
1/19/2021 05:53:28 am
I am so glad that the Holy spirit guided me to this page. You have open up my mind and heart to receive this encouragement word that you so profoundly explained Habakkuk where people can understand it and apply it to our lives. I just happy that JESUS loves me. All praises belong to GOD.
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2/2/2021 01:02:53 pm
We're so glad to have you here, Gwendolyn! Habakkuk is such an interesting book and study. There is so much for us to learn there!
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Vikki
2/2/2021 08:30:12 am
Glory to God. We are studying The Scarlet Thread through The Bible by Matthew Jury and we are in the book of Habakkuk. The Spirit said to study it. I was afraid to. The Spirit spoke again and said look at this book. Thank God for obedience. God loves me (us) so much that He alone provides just what we need and sometimes don’t even know. Please pray for me because God is trying to grow me and I am afraid to rejoice. This is sad but it is the truth. May God Bless the space that He has allowed me to find to share with other believers. Yet, I will rejoice even in my fear and failures because of Christ who lives in me.
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2/2/2021 01:05:44 pm
Glory to God, Vikki! I'm going to have to look that study up. I've not heard of it before now and it sounds interesting. I love this —> "God loves me (us) so much that He alone provides just what we need and sometimes don’t even know." It's so the truth! This too —> "Yet, I will rejoice even in my fear and failures because of Christ who lives in me." Prayers for you as you learn and grow in Him!
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Pam Hahn
2/2/2021 12:15:13 pm
We just received a cancer diagnosis for my soul mate from first grade on! We’ve been married 44 years , have 4 Christ following kids and 14 grands. Life for us was just beginning in some ways as we retired after serving the Lord in many ways.We’ve had many trials in life but none like this! Today has been a hard day as I question what God is doing! Tims diagnosis is stage 4 and a rare, aggressive type of bladder cancer! I really loved this study and look for more from you! How we need Jesus in this dark time of our lives to hold us close! Thanks for being a vessel for Him to use in this way !
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2/2/2021 01:10:49 pm
Pam, you and your soulmate are in my prayers today! I know this type of diagnosis can be frightening, but God is there. I promise! He promises!!! He will never leave you or forsake you. You know this. Now, I pray you will feel this! Feel His loving arms around you and His compassion and leading within the hallways of your life. I pray you will find wisdom and comfort for your new journey. May the Lord use this to further His Kingdom in places you never expected to go and in the lives of people you would have never met otherwise!!!
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Harriet Staley
2/8/2021 08:30:36 am
Thank God for Habakkuh
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