Joy for the Joyless: Advent Week 3

Introduction

This third week of Advent we light the pink candle, the candle of Joy. In the middle of the Advent journey, we pause to remember that joy is not simply a feeling dependent on circumstances—it is a steadfast, soul-deep response to who God is. Even when life feels bleak, even when our hopes seem to wither like a fig tree in a dry season, the Lord invites His people to rejoice.

In Habakkuk 3:17–19, the prophet confronts a reality we all know too well: life is fragile, unpredictable, and sometimes painful. Crops may fail. Fields may wither. Livelihoods may disappear. Yet even in the midst of such adversity, Habakkuk declares:

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (v. 18).

What gives Habakkuk this courage? How can we, too, cultivate joy that transcends circumstances? Today, we will explore the conditions that produce despair and discover why true joy is rooted in who God is, not in what we have.

Habakkuk 3:17–19

Habakkuk 3:17–19 NIV

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

The Conditions of Despair (v. 17)

Habakkuk begins by acknowledging the stark reality of his nation:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls…”

These images paint a picture of absolute scarcity and loss.

These conditions reflect the looming Babylonian invasion. But the root cause is deeper: Judah’s repeated unfaithfulness to God’s covenant.

The law had warned that sin would bring hardship, including environmental consequences (Lev. 26:18–20). Like the Garden of Eden, where the land itself was cursed due to human sin, the spiritual health of the people was inseparable from the land’s productivity.

Prophets like Amos and Micah had previously highlighted this connection. Poor harvests were not merely economic setbacks; they were signs of a broken covenant relationship with God.

Haggai 1:5–6 NIV

5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

Haggai, centuries later, would ask:

“Are you planting more and harvesting less? Are you eating more and feeling less satisfied?” (Hag. 1:5–6)

The message is clear: when God’s people stray, the consequences touch every part of life.

Habakkuk is living in a time when repentance is too late; the destruction is imminent. And yet, in the face of all this, he declares a faith that is unshaken.

The Source of Joy (v. 18)

Habakkuk’s declaration—“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation”—is radical.

This is not resignation or stoic bravery.

As Lloyd-Jones notes, it is far more than psychological detachment or an attempt to “pluck up courage.” Habakkuk’s joy is active trust in a God who is sovereign, who saves, and who will remain faithful even when circumstances collapse.

Consider individuals who face terminal illness or financial ruin, yet testify to a deep joy rooted not in recovery or wealth, but in God’s unchanging character. This kind of joy is a conscious choice—a declaration that God is worth trusting, worth praising, and worth following, regardless of what happens around us.

God as Our Strength (v. 19)

Habakkuk continues:

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”

Here we see a physical metaphor for spiritual vitality. Like a deer leaping across cliffs, God empowers His people to rise above despair.

This strength is not merely emotional resilience—it is divine enablement.

David experienced this same reality under Saul’s pursuit (Ps. 18:1–6), and John Bunyan, imprisoned for his faith, wrote about leaping into the unknown, trusting God to catch him.

Even Paul reminds us in Romans 8:35–37:

Romans 8:35–37 NIV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

True joy emerges when we recognize that God’s strength and faithfulness are the ultimate constants in an uncertain world.

Living Joyfully in a Broken World

In proclaim put notes with each section

Joy Is a Choice, Not a Circumstance We cannot control crop failures, job losses, illness, or the decisions of others. Yet we can choose to rejoice in God. Our joy must rest on His character, not our conditions.

Faith Transforms Perspective When we trust God, scarcity does not equate to despair. We can face financial hardship, relational struggles, or personal losses and still affirm: “The LORD is my strength; I will rejoice in Him.”

Strength Comes From Dependence Acknowledging our weakness invites God’s power. Like Habakkuk, we live by faith—not in denial, but in dependence. When we admit our limitations, we make room for His strength to flow.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Joy

Begin each day recounting God’s attributes: faithful, loving, sovereign.

Reframe hardships as opportunities to trust Him.

Engage with Scripture that reminds you of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 18, Romans 8, Habakkuk 3).

Celebrate small signs of God’s work in your life, even amid difficulties.

Next Steps

Habakkuk’s example shows us that joy is not the absence of struggle—it is the presence of God. Even when fig trees do not bud, even when fields fail, even when life seems to collapse, we can rejoice because God is our salvation, our strength, and our ultimate hope.

As we continue our Advent journey, lighting the pink candle of Joy, may we be reminded: joy is found in who God is, not in what we have. In Him, we can rise, run, and not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31). In Him, we can live courageously by faith, confident that He is faithful and His love never fails.

Questions for Further Discussion

What are some areas in your life where you find it hardest to rejoice, and why?

How does knowing God as your strength change the way you respond to loss or hardship?

Habakkuk rejoiced even when all seemed lost—how might we cultivate that same posture of joy today?

Reflect on a modern story or personal experience where faith brought joy in the midst of difficulty.

Bibliography

Kaiser, Walter C., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Vol. 23. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Lloyd-Jones, D. M. Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965.

Cowper, William. Sometimes a Light Surprises. Christian Hymn. 18th century.

Leggett, Donald. Loving God and Disturbing Men. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.

Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

Listener Notes

Advent Week 3 – Joy for the Joyless Text: Habakkuk 3:17–19 Theme: Joy is not dependent on what we have, but on who God is Advent Candle: Joy (pink candle)

Key Points

Circumstances Can Be Bleak – Fig trees don’t bud, crops fail, livestock is gone (v. 17).

Joy Is a Choice – Habakkuk declares, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD” (v. 18).

God Is Our Strength – He equips us to rise above despair (v. 19).

Faith Transcends Circumstance – Joy is rooted in God’s character, not worldly conditions.

Reflection Questions

Where in your life do you struggle to rejoice, and why?

How does depending on God’s strength shift your perspective on hardship?

How can you actively cultivate joy in daily life, even during trials?

Bible Study Companion (3–4 Day)

Text: Habakkuk 3:17–19 Theme: Choosing joy in God despite circumstances

Day 1 – The Reality of Loss

Read: Habakkuk 3:17

Reflection: What circumstances in your life feel like a “fig tree not budding” or “fields yielding no food”?

Word Study: Fig tree (Hebrew: תְּאֵנָה, te’enah) – often symbolizes Israel or God’s provision.

Application: Acknowledge losses without denial; bring them honestly before God.

Day 2 – Choosing Joy

Read: Habakkuk 3:18

Reflection: How does Habakkuk’s declaration challenge your default response to adversity?

Word Study: Rejoice (Hebrew: שָׂמֵחַ, sameach) – to be glad, to delight; rooted in inner vitality.

Application: Make a deliberate choice to praise God today, despite external circumstances.

Day 3 – Strength in God

Read: Habakkuk 3:19

Reflection: What does it look like to walk on the “high hills” God gives us?

Word Study: Strength (Hebrew: מָעֲזָה, ma’azah) – a place of refuge, stability, and power.

Application: Identify areas of weakness; ask God to provide strength and endurance.

Day 4 – Living by Faith

Read: Romans 8:35–39; Isaiah 40:31

Reflection: How can you practically live by faith in your daily routines and decisions?

Application: Write down one area where you will intentionally rejoice in God this week, regardless of results.

YouTube Description

Title: Advent Week 3 – Joy for the Joyless | Habakkuk 3:17–19

Description: In the middle of the Advent season, we often face realities that challenge our joy. Crops fail, jobs are lost, relationships strain—but true joy is not dependent on circumstances; it is rooted in who God is.

Join Pastor Ryan as he explores Habakkuk 3:17–19, discovering how to rejoice in the Lord even when life feels bleak. Learn how God can be your strength, giving you the courage to rise above despair and walk by faith.

Reflection Questions:

Where is it hardest for you to rejoice today?

How does God’s strength give you hope in trials?

What steps can you take this week to experience His joy in your life?

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