Tough Text Tuesday
Tough Text Tuesday is a ministry of LEGIT with the purpose of identifying, interpreting, and applying the whole counsel of God, especially the Tough Texts. Contributors to this writing ministry will include the pastoral staff of Bethel Baptist Church, ministry leaders, and other guest writers.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” ~ Habakkuk 3:17-18
Have you ever had a season where nothing has gone right? I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you’re not in a storm now, you’ve either just came out of one or you’re about to enter one.” Tough seasons are inevitable. They will come. In fact, Jesus promises you and I that they will come. Your circumstances will change. In fact the Bible reminds us that everything changes except for God and His word. Today may be the day that you were laid off, learned of a loss, disease, or hurt or maybe you’re just down because everything seems to be falling apart. Maybe today you’re unsure why you’re doing what you’ve been doing for so long. Maybe you’re beginning to question God’s calling on your life. The above text is tough because it reminds us that times like these are a reality as long as we are living on this earth.
With that said, we also are given a promise in this text. We are promised that in all of the broken pieces of this life, we can still have joy in the fact that God has saved us. Not merely to have a place in Heaven, but to enjoy life to its fullest here on planet earth. Too many times, the emphasis of one’s salvation is placed on their future gift of an eternal home in the presence of God in Heaven. While that is a great thing to rejoice about, there is still more! Probably the second most emphasized in our salvation is our forgiven past. Everything that you have ever done and will ever do is covered by the atonement of Jesus Christ the moment you place your faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior. Again, this is a great thing to rejoice in, but there is still more!!
When you were saved, God not only gave you a future gift and forgave your past, but He also gave you a purpose for your present. The most forgotten about gift in salvation is that we are given a purpose for today. If you know Jesus, you can rejoice in any circumstance because you can see the bigger picture. You can see a purpose and a plan behind all things. In knowing that, you are able to not allow your circumstances to be the source of your hope, but Jesus. If your source of hope, happiness, and comfort is in your circumstances, you are going to be let down. Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Anchor your joy and happiness in Him. Be happy today and share your joy with another.
Things to ask yourself today:
1. What is the source of my joy?
2. Am I regularly viewing my circumstances through the lenses of the Gospel?
3. Am I trusting the promises of God found in the Scriptures?
4. Am I sharing my joy with others that God puts in my sphere of influence?
REFORMED SOCIETY 