All signs point to drought and here comes the Word, Rejoice.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 “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.

Scorching sun, withered trees with no signs of possible rain. I cry “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”

These verses from Habakkuk are not new to many of us but I have never been able to take them too seriously. Isn’t it a no-brainer that we need to rejoice in the Lord? Our God is bigger than our mountains of problems and He says cast our worries unto Him. He is our tower of refuge and strength. Christianity 101 it is, I took it as a pinch of salt.

A good old friend was just sharing how God has been so good to her and there are so much favor shown to her especially at her new work place. It seems like everything she touches turn into gold. I can see the gleam of joy she has. It feels like magic. I am glad for her.

I thank God for His grace and favor all the time, especially at work. He had given me many opportunities to learn and progress and sheltered me from many troubles over the last decade. I am still thanking God for where I am and what I am given. But my experiences were not magical, they were hard work. I have learnt the hard way with sweat and tears. It didn’t make any sense if I compare with the magical moments that others can have, nevertheless, I choose to believe some things are beyond my mere understanding, I choose to thank God. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Yet another Christianity 101, it is.

What now? I can see the day of trouble approaching that concerns to prepare. No fruit nor blossom, no oil nor herd. The promise of hope is way too far to be fathomed, yet, I choose to stand tall. Not because of what I have nor the gifts He has given me but who He is. This good hope through grace is founded in holy fear. Habakkuk looked back upon the experiences of the church in former ages, and observed what great things God had done for them, and so was not only recovered but filled with holy joy. And with this holy joy, came the birth of a holy ambition to be what God has created us to be, to live heaven as it is on earth.

And let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, to which indeed I was called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in me richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in my heart to God. And whatever I do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Extracted and personalized from Colossians 3:16-18)

His beautiful & relentless love makes a soul relentlessly beautiful.