An Example of Contentment

The book of Habakkuk is written in a time of great trouble and corruption in Judah, yet he continues to trust and rejoice in the Lord.

An Example of Contentment

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

(Habakkuk 3:18)

The book of Habakkuk is written in a time of great trouble and corruption in Judah. The prophet questions God and wrestles with the lack of justice on display (chapter 1). The Lord answers, assuring that the prideful will be judged and the righteous shall live by faith (chapter 2). Now in chapter 3, Habakkuk turns to prayer and ends the book of Habakkuk with these words:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

The picture painted at first by Habakkuk looks truly dim. No crops and no livestock. No food! Just utter desolation where much has clearly gone wrong. This is a desperate picture of economic collapse and societal crisis! How could anyone have joy or assurance in such a circumstance? Well, verse 18 begins with a powerful word: "Yet".

This conjunction is a foot planted in the ground amidst crisis. Things look grim, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord!" I'm not sure how things will turn out, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord!" Things are not how I would want them to be, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord!" Choosing to rejoice in the Lord, to praise Him, be thankful for Him, and trust in Him despite whatever may come, is the remedy for panic and the path to contentment amid challenges. Praising God through trouble centers our hearts on the eternal and helps us see our circumstances from another perspective.

Are you walking through a challenging time? Stop and look to the Lord. Acknowledge the situation and declare, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord!" By doing so, you are reminding yourself that regardless of what may come, the Lord is sufficient for whatever troubles you face. Like Habakkuk in verse 18, look to find joy in your salvation which is an ever present ground for hope. Just as the deer has stable footing even in rugged terrain, the Lord can stabilize your heart in times of trouble. He can provide for your physical needs in His way and in His time. In Him, you will not fall.

Learn contentment by setting your gaze upon Christ in all situations.

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Podcast of the Week

A Blessed & Gracious Man, with Thunderbird Pilot Fred Erickson

Pastor Danny welcomes to the show his friend Fred Erickson, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Thunderbird pilot, and Vietnam war veteran. Fred is chairman both of the deacons and of the Finance Committee at Great Hills Baptist Church and a long-time member of the church with his wife Fran. Fred is also chairman of the board at Restoration Ranch, TX, a non-profit in the Austin area that helps women escape bad situations, overcome addictions, and build their relationship with Jesus. Fred talks about all of this and more in this episode, including some harrowing war stories.

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