The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! / Habakkuk 3:19 (AMPC)

Have you ever felt like life throws you curveballs? Moments when everything seems to go wrong, and you find yourself grappling with doubts and fears? Well, let's take a moment to dive into a powerful passage from the book of Habakkuk that teaches us about finding strength and hope in the midst of adversity, all through acknowledging the Lord's sovereignty.

In Habakkuk 3:17-19, the prophet paints a vivid picture of a difficult time when resources are scarce, and circumstances seem dire. He says, "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."

Wow! It's inspiring to witness such unwavering faith in the face of hardship. The prophet acknowledges the harsh reality of his circumstances, but he doesn't allow them to define his joy or hope. Instead, he chooses to anchor his trust in the Lord's sovereignty, recognizing that God is still in control, regardless of the circumstances.

This passage reveals a profound truth: The sovereignty of God transcends our circumstances. His plans are greater than any setbacks we might face. Like the prophet, we can rejoice in the Lord, even when life doesn't go as planned.

On a personal note, this week has been particularly challenging - starting with a car accident on Monday night (Cetelia and I are fine, my car is not). All I've encountered has caused me to say the same statement over and over: "I'm taking the case that God is in this, and everything will work out as it should."

This is a nod to the Lord's sovereignty, It expresses a belief in His involvement and trust in His ability to work things out according to His plan. I encourage you to make the statement yours, and put it on repeat when you face your next difficulty.

Prayer

Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for being the Sovereign Lord over all things, including the challenges we encounter. Help us, like Habakkuk, to find joy and hope in the face of adversity. May we trust in your perfect plan, even when we don't understand it. Strengthen our faith, knowing that your sovereignty brings purpose and meaning to every situation. In Jesus' name, we pray and declare, "All is well!" Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. How do you respond to difficult situations? Do you find it challenging to anchor your trust in God's sovereignty?

2. Take a moment to reflect on past struggles. In what ways did God's sovereignty bring you comfort or a sense of purpose?

3. How can you remind yourself daily of God's sovereignty and allow it to shape your perspective in times of uncertainty?

Hymn: It Is Well

Watch Sunday's Message:

Hymns for Spiritual Formation: It is Well

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