Choosing Joy

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Habakkuk 3:17–18 nlt

Pause

My maternal grandmother was born in Russia. Her father was murdered when she was about ten years old, so she supported her family by chasing crows from sunflower fields. She received crusty bread rolls in return.

Grandma knew poverty well into her adulthood, but she also knew God. Faith in him gave her strength and perseverance through decades of hardship after immigrating to Canada. Her attitude reminds me of the prophet Habakkuk, who clung to hope even in utter desolation.

How easily Habakkuk could have slipped into a negative, fearful perspective, but he didn’t. Neither did he shift into a power-of-positive-thinking mentality. He acknowledged the difficulties and then chose to rejoice in the Lord. He knew that crisis upon crisis could not diminish God’s power or change his nature. Circumstances looked dismal, but they couldn’t dampen his hope.

Ponder

In what aspect of God’s nature can you rejoice today?

Pray

Lord, even though my situation appears hopeless and I don’t understand what’s happening or why, I will rejoice in you.