Habakkuk 2:17-19 “Though the fig tree does not blossom. And no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation.  God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights.”

Are you in a season of plenty or a season of want?

There are times in our lives that we are filled to overflowing with an abundance of blessings from the Lord.  It gives our heart joy and happiness to dance and sing to the Lord because we can see and experience the abounding love and grace from him.  We are able to see the fig trees in blossom and fruit on the vines and it is easy to rejoice in the Lord during these times.

There are also times like we see described in this passage.  Our gardens do not grow and they produce no fruit.  We struggle to rub two pennies together and we cannot see where the next meal might come from.  Even if the bank account is not suffering our hearts might be.  We are unable to see the fig trees in blossom or fruit on the vines and it is hard to rejoice in the Lord during these times.

It is during these times of hardship, whether tangible or spiritual that we dig deep to find fire in our soul that burns for the Lord.  This fire, our faith, is what God gives us so we can exult in him and rejoice in him, always.  Rejoice in him, our salvation, our strength; our God.

Lord,

Open our eyes to see the blessings you pour out even in the seasons of want.  Open our hands to shares the blessings you give in the seasons of plenty.  Kindle the fire within us so we exult in you and rejoice in you always.  Amen.