"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." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably well aware that the world is in turmoil and disarray. As I write this, the nation of Libya is undergoing a civil war as rebels attempt to overthrow that country’s dictator. Syrian unrest has resulted in thousands of deaths over the past five months. Recent riots and looting in London resulted in extensive property damage and several deaths. Last month, seventy-seven people were slaughtered in Norway by an anti-immigrant zealot. The US stock markets are declining again after a brief recovery, and the economies of most industrial nations are in shambles. In this country, millions of people have lost their homes to foreclosure, and our unemployment rate is still hovering close to ten percent.
Needless to say, fear is rampant.
People fear for their safety, their financial security, their health, and their future. There are so many things that can cause us worry and fear in this world. Yet, the Bible reminds us over and over again to not fear. In fact, the phrase “do not fear” and its variations appear hundreds of times throughout the Scriptures. Fear is the opposite of faith. When we experience fear, worry and doubt about our situations and circumstances, we are saying that God is not able to see us through or to provide what we need.
The passage I quoted above is one of my favorite Scriptures. It reminds me that my joy does not depend on my circumstances. Regardless of how things around me look, I can still “rejoice in the Lord” because He alone sustains me in the bad times as well as the good. I don’t have to walk in fear of destitution, disease, danger or death as long as I trust in God’s perfect provision in my life. Governments will collapse, employment will end, loved ones will die, and health will fail. But one thing endures through all of life’s turmoil – the joy of the Lord.
If you’re walking in fear today, let it go. Place your faith in God and look to Him for your joy and peace in the midst of your trials. He will never let you down and will never disappoint you. God’s been doing what He does for a long time, and He’s pretty good at it.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
