”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.”

A modern day Habakkuk might say, ”Although our crops are failing for lack of rain, inflation has made feed so expensive we can’t feed the flock, union wages are so high we can’t afford to hire reapers, high interest rates are making it impossible to borrow money, and even if we could harvest our crops we can’t get enough for them to cover our expenses, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Most modern day Habakkuks would say all but the last part. We don’t find many people rejoicing in the Lord nowadays. We do find people complaining about the stock market, the high cost of sugar, the shortage of gasoline, the sluggishness of business and the high unemployment; but we do not find them expressing their joy in the God of their salvation.

Surely the lesson Habakkuk would have us learn is that we are to rejoice in the Lord in spite of the troubles we may be facing. Most people simply moan and groan about their troubles but forget to find joy in the God of their salvation.

How about us? Are we so full of the love of God that it shines through even when we are sick or out of work? Do we recognize that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away – blessed is the name of the Lord? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? How do we stand up to the troubles that come our way?

Whatever trouble comes to us is allowed by God, else we would not have it. Do we honestly believe that there has no temptation taken us but such as is common to man, and that God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that we may be able to bear it?

By studying the lives of the faithful of other ages we can get an insight into how we should act when we are faced with trials. We know that we are going to be tried, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Nehemiah had enemies within and without, yet the work he was doing was blessed by God. God could have struck all his enemies dead so that Nehemiah could build the wall without being hindered, but this is not the way God prepares us for that future temple of which we all hope to be a part. Jesus promises us that ”he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

It is impossible to overcome unless there is something to overcome. Even in this life there is joy in doing the difficult. A game of tennis is no fun unless we have an opponent that can challenge us and return our serve.

As we commence a new year, let us face it confidently knowing that all things are working together for good for those who love the Lord, to those who are the called according to his purpose. We know that if God be for us there is nothing or no one that can be against us, so we can cry out with Paul, ”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

We do not know just what 2000 will bring to us. We do know that Daniel told us of a time of trouble that is coming, and it isn’t here yet, so let us take courage knowing that ”they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” These comforting words of Elisha relieved the anxiety of his servant when he saw that they were surrounded by Syrian soldiers. The angels that were present then to help Elisha are still alive and are able to deliver us if that be the Lord’s will. It is easy to be frightened when we are in trouble, but instead, let us take courage like Joshua did when he was afraid. God told him ”Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Believing this we will rejoice in the LORD; we will joy in the God of our salvation.