DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 6 January 2024
TOPIC: Joy Triumphant
TEXT: HABAKKUK 3:17-19
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
KEY VERSE
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation”
(Habakkuk 3:18).
DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 6 January 2024 MESSAGE
For a Christian believer, mere happiness is not a coveted trophy. Joy is his lot. His happiness does not depend on happenings. His joy springs from within and flows out effortlessly in all weather. That is why Maltbie D. Babcock insisted that “The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself.” Disappointingly, many Christians appear not to be at home with this truth.
There is a great lesson to be learned from the disposition of Prophet Habakkuk as reflected in the text under consideration. Habakkuk started his prophecy on a note of sadness because of the prevalence of vices among the Israelites of his day. Along the line, he protested God’s dispensing of judgment against the Jews at the hands of the more wicked Chaldeans. At last, he got the complete picture of God’s position in all these and appreciatively, switched from trembling fear to triumphant faith.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Friday 5 January 2024 – Our Ministry of Reconciliation
There and then, he made the most elegant statement of faith that should resonate with every Christian: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk’s words reflected pure joy. This implies that the joy of the Lord that was in him would be tented neither by plenty nor penury. Even if the Chaldeans struck and caused all sources of supply to cease, and all earthly props were withdrawn, he would still rejoice in the Lord. His commitment to the Lord would not wane. This is what the Christian life should be. The Christian should not be a fair-whether follower to the Lord but should, like the Northern Star, be ever constant.
Believers whose commitment is dictated by their fortunes have missed the point. They know nothing about the joy of which we speak today. Their joy and commitment to the Lord are as unsteady as a tide. They rise when things are going well with them. They relapse to a joyless and lukewarm state when the going gets tough. But you can commit to a more stable walk with God this day.
