03/22/2019

Habakkuk 3: 17-19

¹⁷ 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,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
¹⁹ God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

I was a very new Christian when I first read this text. I thought then as I now think fifty years later that is beautiful poetry and one of the most noble sentiments I have ever encountered.

What a commitment this is. It is to say no matter what my external circumstances are I have joy in a source that is unchanging. He is not describing extras. These are necessities. Naked, hungry and in the cold my joy is secure. This is what I want but does my faith give me that confidence? No! The sufficiency of grace is the hope that is sustaining.

Philippians. 3:1-2. Any thought of joy should bring us quickly to Philippians as this is Paul's letter of joy. The joy of this statement is followed by an admonition to watchfulness. The need for careful observation and caution with the new boys on the street is always a wise concern.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Our joy is to be constant and it is to be our strength, but it is a joy on the battlefield. And as long as you are on the battlefield you keep your sentries in place.