Focus Chapters:
- Habakkuk 1-3
- Zephaniah 1
- Zephaniah 2:1-7
Standout Verse(s):
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT
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!
Observation (s):
- All the writer’s resources are barren or bearing no fruits.
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!
- Despite the writer’s dire situation, the writer still chooses to rejoice in the Lord.
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!
Application:
Choice is something that we were all given from the beginning of mankind in Genesis. Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of how persons reacted during their most negative of situations. Joseph chose to trust God despite being sold by his brothers into slavery and imprisoned wrongfully. His wait spanned years but his trust is rewarded when he eventually becomes second in command in Egypt. David chose to trust God when he opts to face Goliath, believing that the same God who empowered him to overcome the bear and lion will deliver the godless giant into his hands. In an instant, God rewards his faith and delivers Goliath to David with one blow to the forehead. David, again, has to demonstrate his trust in God when he is on the run from Saul, despite him being appointed Saul’s successor. Despite the attacks on his life, he still chooses to trust God and is rewarded when Saul acknowledges that he wronged him and he becomes king.
How do you choose to react when faced with negative situations? Let’s paint a picture. Like the writer’s olive crops, vines and fig trees, all the natural resources you were depending on have failed to produce fruit. All your efforts, no matter how strenuous, have been for naught.
Like the writer’s flocks in the fields, they die before they are brought to fruition or, like the writer’s cattle barns, are empty. Like the writer, David and Joseph, despite the seemingly hopelessness of the situation, will you still make the choice to trust and rejoice in God and be joyful? It is easy to have faith and rejoice when things are going well. It is hard to be joyful and rejoice when our lands and lives are barren.
During your barrenness and emptiness, which will you choose?
