Gleanings From The Word: October 2017

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Joy

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

(Habakkuk 3: 17-18 NLT)

Joy is the mark of a Christian. We often confuse happiness and joy. Happiness frequently changes according to our circumstances. Joy comes from our heart, not from external events. We can experience joy in the midst of sorrow.

Habakkuk lived in a time of great injustice and idolatry. He could not understand why God was not addressing these issues. The prophet learned something about faith and joy in the midst of dire circumstances. Matthew Henry has written, “Joy in God is never out of season; it is especially seasonable when we meet the losses and crosses in the world.” It is in times where we have only God on which to cling, that we find out that he is enough. Joy to a Christian is like a barometer to weather. When the barometric pressure starts to fall we know, we will have inclement weather. When we lose our joy, it becomes apparent that we need an attitude adjustment. Though the prophet was right in what he saw, he needed a little better understanding that God had it under control.

Joy does come from the heart, but we play a part in the process. Habakkuk said, “I will rejoice, I will be joyful” (v.18). There is a willful nature to his statement. Are you experiencing injustice? In his time, the Lord always takes care of business. If you believe this, your joy will be full.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places” YWAM Publishing
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Looking for Someone Else

“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11: 3 NLT)

John the Baptist in prison

In your spiritual journey, have you had some unfulfilled expectations? Has God done things you did not expect or did not do things you were expecting? Join the club. Even John the Baptist, the one of whom Jesus had said was the greatest who had ever lived (v. 11), found himself wondering if Jesus was the Messiah. Even the best of us at times have doubt. Are you looking for someone else?

John, the one who had prepared the way for the Lord, found himself alone in prison. For sovereign reasons known only to Jesus, he did not personally go to John. When trials persist for a long time, and God does not seem to be doing anything about them, there is a great temptation to question the fundamental truths of our faith. How did Jesus deal with John’s doubt? First, without being overly compassionate, he gave him the facts: “the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised to life” (v. 5). These are things that only the Messiah could have done. Facts not feelings are the basis of our faith. Then in the midst of John’s suffering, Jesus gave him a warning. “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” (v.6)

We should never judge God because of our circumstances, but judge our circumstances by the character if God. It is not difficult to become offended and fall away by what God allows to happen. God is good, just, and right in all, he does. Believe this, and you will see it. Wait until you see it and you will probably never believe it, always looking for something or someone else.