Beloved, listen carefully. Though the night falls and darkness spreads its quiet veil, you are not forsaken. You are not forgotten. Lift your eyes from the barrenness and behold the One who holds the stars in His right hand. Rejoicing in God our strength is not an empty shout; it is the anthem of the faithful, the testimony of those who have tasted and seen that God is good.
Hear the voice of Habakkuk, a voice like yours, burdened by the sight of desolation: “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vines… yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!”(Habakkuk 3:17-18, AMP). See how he does not deny the barrenness. He does not close his eyes to the empty stalls and withered fields. No, beloved, he stares at the ruin and still chooses to rejoice.
And why? Because he knows the Lord. He knows the One who said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5, NASB). He knows the One who promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NASB). He knows the One whose strength is made perfect when your strength fails.
Rejoicing in God our strength is a declaration, a holy rebellion against despair. It is the cry of a soul anchored not in circumstances, but in the unchanging faithfulness of God. Even David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, sang in the night, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?”(Psalm 27:1, NASB). Fear flees from the heart that is fixed on God.
Beloved, understand this: you are called to more than survival. You are called to walk in victory. “The Lord GOD is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]” (Habakkuk 3:19, AMP). He does not merely steady your feet; He calls you to high places. He sets you on heights where the air is thin and the climb is steep, but the view is glorious.
Do you not remember what Paul wrote? “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, NASB). Not barely conquer. Not survive. Overwhelmingly conquer — because He is your strength. Because God is faithful. Because the One who calls you is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory (Jude 24).
You must not let your soul be weighed down by the emptiness of the fig tree or the barrenness of the vine. Lift up your head. The harvest of the Lord is not measured in the fruit of the earth, but in the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). These fruits never fail. These vines are never barren. And in them, you will find the strength to rejoice.
So tonight, beloved, rejoice in God your strength. Let your praise ascend like incense before the throne. Let your song be loud even in the silence. For He who promised is faithful, and He will not fail you. The One who steadied Habakkuk, the One who upheld David, the One who emboldened Paul — He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Let us be found faithful. Let us be found rejoicing.
Prayer
Father, we bow before You, choosing tonight rejoicing in God our strength. Though our eyes see little, our hearts see much. We trust in Your goodness, we lean upon Your everlasting arms. Teach us to walk with steady feet on the high places, not shrinking back in fear, but pressing forward in faith. Fill our hearts with the unshakable joy that comes only from Your Spirit. Let our song rise before You, a song of confidence, a song of trust. In the mighty name of Yeshua, our Lord and King, Amen.
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