Habakkuk, the prophet of God, paints a bleak picture.
His body trembles as he waits like a watchman for the day when justice will come to those who have attacked Israel.
But until that day, there are
no figs
no grapes
no olives
no food
no sheep
no cattle.
But in the middle of this extreme poverty, Habakkuk makes this declaration.
"But I will still be glad in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior."Habakkuk could have no idea of the height of God's salvation in Christ. He was looking for a restoration of Israel - a temporal remedy - restoration
God offered salvation for the world.
Still even with this lesser hope, Habakkuk finds joy.
If you were left in destitution, would you still be glad? Could you still rejoice in Christ your Savior?
We live in a time of excess and abundance. Even during recession we have more amenities than kings of old.
And there are so many signs that the meaning of Christmas has been swallowed up in this consumerism.
But what if it were all stripped away?
No presents under the tree.
No Christmas meal.
No comfortable home.
Picture the Whoville Christmas after the Grinch took every last piece of tinsel.
Would there still be gladsome tidings?
Would there still be joy to the world?
In your heart?
Take time to examine your heart. Be on guard that the "stuff" doesn't distract from the Truth.
It's easy to get trapped by the trappings.
It's easy to get rapped by the wrapping.
But we have been given a priceless gift that makes all presents under the tree pale in comparison.
May we find our gladness and joy in this alone.
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