Fully Devoted-5: Joy Full!

Reading: Habakkuk 3:1-19
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, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

I.    Not the King we expect

      A.  Habakkuk expected only Triumph

            1.   God has shown himself as a God of victories, defeating all His enemies.

                   a.   vv.12-13

            2.   Time and time again, God’s people came out on the top of the heap.

                   a.   The Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines, etc., etc.

            3.   But not this time.

                   a.   Israel had had its defeats but it always triumphed in the end.

                   b.   Not this time. God had to teach it the hard way.

      B.  A different measure of Success

            1.   Habakkuk learns to let go of his dependence on the blessings.

                   a.   It is an easy thing to believe that happiness depends on visible blessings.

                   b.   It doesn’t. It can’t.

            2.   Instead he holds on to the Blessed One.

                   a.   There is a big difference between holding on to the things God blesses us with and holding on to God.

            3.   Success is redefined as faithfulness even in the face of tragedy.

                   a.   God is not simply a fair weather friend.

                   b.   God strengthens Habakkuk to be strong in the face of disaster (v.19)

      C.  King of Unexpected plans

            1.   Habakkuk did not expect that God could have a plan like the one he did (see Chap.1)

                   a.   We are often as convinced as Habakkuk that what is happening can’t be part of God’s plan.

            2.   The worshipers on Palm Sunday couldn’t imagine the plan God had for them either.

                   a.   They were quite certain that God’s plan for them was political liberation.

                   b.   Because of their expectation, they were blind to the actual plan unfolding.

            3.   God had a better plan than they imagined.

                   a.   The were delivered from oppression, but it was delivery from their own sins.

II.   Joy and Suffering walk hand in hand

      A.  Weeping while they’re Cheering

            1.   Habakkuk weeps while the punishing nation gloats. (v.16 - my lips quivered)

            2.   While the throngs cheer, Jesus weeps.

                   a.   Luke 19:41-44

            3.   Later the taunts and jeers fill the air as Jesus bears the sin of the World.

      B.  Happy though suffering

            1.   But there’s more—Habakkuk’s happiness isn’t deferred but re-established.

                   a.   It’s not about waiting for a better future.

                   b.   It’s about discovering God in the now — even a disastrous now.

            2.   The apostle’s will later reflect on the joy of suffering for the sake of the name.

                   a.   Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

                   b.   James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

                   c.   1Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

            3.   There is a happiness deep enough that it can’t be drowned out.

      C.  Trust bigger than Pain

            1.   When our trust in God exceeds our fear of hurt, then we are truly free.

                   a.   Habakkuk acknowledges that his strength comes from outside himself.

                   b.   He rejoices because He trusts God to keep him from falling.

            2.   We trust that God will not allow us to suffer meaninglessly.

                   a.   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Rom. 8:28)

            3.   When we know God will only allow into our lives what He can turn to our good, nothing absolutely bad can happen.

III.  God fills us with Joy

      A.  Empty of Blessings but full of God

            1.   Let’s not confuse the blessings God gives with the Blessing of God’s love.

                   a.   Even God’s blessings can be a distraction in our spiritual walk.

                   b.   Too many “name-it/claim it” types end up with mere things and without a deep understanding of God’s love.

            2.   Sometimes it seems the material blessings are absent — God’s love never varies.

                   a.   We are sometimes shocked by how our happiness is tied to things.

                   b.   But these are times to reestablish and deepen our Joy in the Lord.

            3.   Habakkuk knew his joy would not diminish because of a food or cattle shortage.

                   a.   He gave his complaint out-loud to God.

                   b.   God heard him and assured him that He was sovereign despite the evidence.

      B.  Recognizing what’s Temporary

            1.   It’s amazing what we assume is permanent!

                   a.   Houses, cars, boats, bank accounts, FDIC, social security, life insurance.

                   b.   How much of our lives are spent chasing the temporary?

            2.   It’s amazing what we are willing to sacrifice our happiness for!

                   a.   Yes we sacrifice our happiness for the things we think will make us happy.

                   b.   We ignore the joy of family relationships for the alleged joy of things.

            3.   Habakkuk’s freedom to be happy came when he let go of tying his happiness to temporary things.

      C.  A greater Experience of God’s love

            1.   It is in letting go of our small expectations of God and His blessings that we find a God bigger than our imaginations.

            2.   It is in our greatest need that we can most deeply experience God’s love.

            3.   Simple child-like trust in God’s ability to drive sets us free to enjoy the ride.

                   a.   Even when we’re driving on the edge of the cliffs.

The Bottom Line:

Song: He Keeps Me Singing (Red#453)