RECKLESS PRAISE

12/8/2022

"Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold, and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Anyone can shout "GLORY" when things appear to be going well. But who are you when all of hell breaks loose? Will you still shout, "GLORY," if you lost your job, house, relationship, retirement, child, etc.? Will you say like Job, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him…" (Job 13:15). Better still, I will praise God regardless.

You may not have gotten the job or promotion; you may have lost the child and retirement; they may have called off the engagement, but your praise should be independent of these things. Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, "Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails. And the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold. And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!" The prophet here decided to rejoice in the Lord irrespective of the prevailing circumstance. It was a decision that made him look irresponsible and heartless. The ordinary man would ask, "How can you rejoice under these circumstances?" But our praise does not come out from pain or disappointments. On the contrary, our praise is from our resolve that our God is just and faithful.

It takes true faith and devotion to God to offer this kind of praise. Even in the midst of your worst trials, you must resolve that God is faithful and just. I say this by the Holy Ghost, let nothing hinder your praise. Not even the notion that your prayers went unanswered. In Daniel 3:18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, "If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." "Even if He does not?" What a faith! What a worship! This is the kind of praise that God is after. A radical, reckless praise that is independent of circumstances.

Why not take your eyes off the challenges today and give God the praise that He deserves? Say like the prophet Habbakuk, irrespective of circumstances, I choose to rejoice in the Lord.

Hallelujah!

Faith-Filled Confession:

God—You’re my God! I can’t get enough of You! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in Your strength and glory. In your generous love, I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless You every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to You (Psalm 63:1-4 MSG).

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Daniel 1-2; 1 John 2