One Good Reason to Hang on (7) Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. – Habakkuk 3:17-18 Challenges and vicissitudes of life may just be a test of your faith and commitment to God. They may not be because of your sins, but are meant to see what your disposition to God would be when the going gets tough. This was the case of Job who suffered much ruinous afflictions, not because he was the worst sinner of his time, but because there was a need to place him in term of his loyalty to God in the face of adversity. It is easy to worship God and be committed to His works when things are going smoothly. But when situation becomes rough and everything seems to be going downhill, that is when the real devout are known. Adversity reveals the true nature of any man – just like money and power. When Job was at the lowest ebb of his life, even his wife who must have been so sweet and supportive in his previous devotion to God could not contain the hardship any longer and had to blurt out, “Curse God and die!” What is your own attitude when you are beset with trials? Are you the type who starts to wag his finger toward heaven, daring the existence of God and demanding His immediate intervention? Or you are the type who maintains an attitude of worship affirming the sovereignty and goodness of God despite your own conditions? What do you say when you are tossed by the storms of life? Do your words glorify God or cast aspersion on His ability? Do you still thank Him for what you have or you are preoccupied with what you don’t have and thus become ungrateful and critical? As our reference scripture suggests, adversity and lack should not rob us of our sense of gratitude to God. We owe all to Him. For all you know, your present situation may just be a test of your worship. Will you still praise Him or continue to whine about what is not or what should have been? Do you think you have a reason to hang on? You will succeed in Jesus Name!
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:27:47 +0000