“I Will Joy in the God of My Salvation” (Hab 3)

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation. (vs17-18)

I will rejoice in God no matter what! He says, “I will joy in the God of my salvation”.  This great truth isn’t selfishness; it recognizes the preciousness of salvation, and though the world will be destroyed in flame of fire, and though sinners around me perish, and though I don’t have all that I desire in this world, I shall be saved!  

When we see salvation as precious, then everything else is SECONDARY. I have the main thing - eternal life - and possessing this, I only have pain and trouble a little while. He says, “while we do not look a the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18).

How can someone be inconceivably rich, having billions in the bank, and then get overly upset because his wallet was stolen, and he must miss a meal?  So it is with us. I may have heartbreak and disappointment. I may be physically infirm or persecuted and hated.  I may have many problems, see little fruit in my ministry, and desire to leave this body soon, but I also have the unsearchable riches of Christ, the eternal reward, and the thing that Jacob called “every thing”. We read, “Then Esau said, ‘I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself... And Jacob said... ‘Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have all things.’ So he urged him, and he took it” (Gen 33:9-11).  Bless God’s name that you and I put things in perspective.

Life’s present agonies are temporary and righteous, and the filling of hell is JUST.  “For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her” (Rev 19:2).  We’ve escaped this condemnation by grace alone, and we’ll sing God’s praises, agreeing with Him on Judgment Day. We’ll judge, rather then being judged as unfaithful.  

Finally, bless His name for the hope of Christ, and use it! Don’t live merely pondering what you don’t have, where you’ve gone wrong, and the pain of this present existence.  Live in the light of the gospel, and wipe your tears, resting your head upon the shoulder of His grace.  He will make you more than a conqueror, and while trouble all around you is heartbreaking, He will wipe away your tears (Rev 21:4).