Finding Joy in God's Faithfulness Amidst Trials
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the enduring faithfulness of God amidst life's changing seasons and the trials we face. We began with a heartfelt prayer for those affected by recent natural disasters, seeking comfort and hope in Jesus Christ. Our focus then shifted to the book of Habakkuk, specifically chapter 3, verses 17-19, which speaks to the withering of joy when our security is threatened. We explored how joy, often tied to our circumstances and material possessions, can fade when those things are taken away or fail us.
The sermon illustrated this with a personal story about running a half marathon, highlighting how joy can diminish as challenges arise. We discussed how our joy is often linked to our security, which can be threatened by unexpected events, failures, and unmet expectations. The prophet Habakkuk's context of living between the threats of Assyria and Babylon served as a backdrop to understand how external threats can impact our internal joy.
We were reminded that our ultimate security and joy should be rooted in God, not in our circumstances. The key turning point in the passage is the word "yet," which signifies a conscious decision to rejoice in the Lord despite our current trials. This decision is based on our knowledge of God's character and faithfulness rather than our immediate experiences.
The message concluded with a call to live on the "other side of the yet," finding joy in God's salvation and the eternal treasures that cannot be taken away. We were encouraged to be the gospel made visible through our lives and actions, sharing the love of Christ with our community and beyond, exemplified by our participation in initiatives like Operation Christmas Child.
### Key Takeaways
1. Joy and Security: Our joy often withers when our security is threatened. This can happen when things don't go as planned or when we experience failure. The prophet Habakkuk reminds us that our ultimate security should be in God, who is always faithful, rather than in our circumstances or material possessions. [42:18]
2. The Conditional Promise: Israel's prosperity depended on their obedience to God's covenant and His consequent blessings. Similarly, our spiritual prosperity hinges on our faithfulness to God and His promises. When we stray, we face the consequences, but God's faithfulness remains a constant source of hope and security. [46:21]
3. Living on the "Other Side of the Yet": Reclaiming our joy is a conscious decision based on our knowledge of God rather than our current experiences. The word "yet" in Habakkuk 3:18 signifies a pivotal choice to rejoice in the Lord despite our trials. This perspective shift is crucial for maintaining joy in difficult times. [59:51]
4. The Gospel Made Visible: Our lives as Christians should make the gospel visible to others. This means living out our faith in tangible ways, such as through acts of service and generosity. Our community initiatives, like Operation Christmas Child, are opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ and bring joy to others. [38:07]
5. Finding Joy in God's Breadcrumbs: God leaves "breadcrumbs" of His love and goodness throughout our lives, even in the midst of trials. These small reminders, whether through nature, relationships, or daily blessings, help us to see His hand at work and find joy in His presence. [01:04:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:00] - Prayer for Those Affected by Disasters
[25:30] - Liturgy for Those Who Suffer Loss
[28:21] - Importance of Prayer and Worship
[30:16] - Introduction to Habakkuk
[31:41] - The Withering of Joy
[33:15] - Personal Story: Half Marathon
[34:43] - Joy and Emotional Stability
[36:33] - The Gospel Made Visible
[38:07] - Community Initiatives and Generosity
[39:27] - Historical Context: Assyria and Babylon
[42:18] - Joy and Security Threats
[46:21] - Conditional Promises and Faithfulness
[47:06] - The Reality of Loss
[59:51] - Living on the "Other Side of the Yet"
[01:04:08] - Finding Joy in God's Breadcrumbs
[01:05:00] - Operation Christmas Child Challenge
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the specific circumstances described in Habakkuk 3:17-19 that could cause joy to wither?
2. According to the sermon, how does the word "yet" in Habakkuk 3:18 serve as a turning point for finding joy? [59:51]
3. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the withering of joy, and what were the stages of emotions he experienced? [31:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between joy and security? [42:18]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Habakkuk choose to rejoice in the Lord despite the dire circumstances described in verses 17-19? [59:51]
2. How does the historical context of Assyria and Babylon threatening Israel relate to the theme of joy and security in the sermon? [39:27]
3. What does it mean to live on the "other side of the yet," and how can this perspective shift impact one's experience of joy? [59:51]
4. How does the concept of "the gospel made visible" through our actions and community initiatives, like Operation Christmas Child, relate to finding joy in God's faithfulness? [38:07]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your joy was tied to your circumstances or material possessions. How did you respond when those things were taken away or failed you? [42:18]
2. The pastor mentioned that our joy can diminish when our security is threatened by unexpected events or failures. How can you consciously decide to find joy in God during such times? [42:18]
3. The sermon encourages us to live on the "other side of the yet." What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus from your current trials to rejoicing in the Lord? [59:51]
4. How can you make the gospel visible in your daily life? Identify one specific act of service or generosity you can perform this week to demonstrate the love of Christ. [38:07]
5. The pastor shared a personal story about running a half marathon and experiencing different emotions. Can you think of a recent challenge you faced where your joy withered? How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time? [31:41]
6. The sermon mentioned finding joy in God's "breadcrumbs" of love and goodness. What are some small reminders of God's presence and faithfulness in your life that you can focus on this week? [01:04:08]
7. How can you support those in your community who are currently experiencing loss or hardship, as mentioned in the prayer for those affected by natural disasters? What specific actions can you take to offer comfort and hope? [24:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy and Security in God
Description: Our joy often diminishes when our sense of security is threatened. This can happen when things don't go as planned, or when we experience failure and loss. The prophet Habakkuk reminds us that our ultimate security should be in God, who is always faithful, rather than in our circumstances or material possessions. When we place our trust in God, we find a joy that is unshakeable, even in the face of life's challenges. This joy is rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His unwavering faithfulness. [42:18]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your sense of security was threatened. How can you shift your focus from the circumstances to God's faithfulness and find joy in Him today?
Day 2: The Conditional Promise of Prosperity
Description: Israel's prosperity depended on their obedience to God's covenant and His consequent blessings. Similarly, our spiritual prosperity hinges on our faithfulness to God and His promises. When we stray, we face the consequences, but God's faithfulness remains a constant source of hope and security. This principle teaches us the importance of aligning our lives with God's will and trusting in His promises, even when we face difficulties. [46:21]
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (ESV): "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may have strayed from God's will. What steps can you take today to realign yourself with His promises and experience His blessings?
Day 3: Living on the "Other Side of the Yet"
Description: Reclaiming our joy is a conscious decision based on our knowledge of God rather than our current experiences. The word "yet" in Habakkuk 3:18 signifies a pivotal choice to rejoice in the Lord despite our trials. This perspective shift is crucial for maintaining joy in difficult times. By choosing to live on the "other side of the yet," we acknowledge God's sovereignty and trust in His ultimate plan for our lives. [59:51]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a current trial you are facing. How can you consciously choose to rejoice in the Lord and trust in His plan, despite the difficulties?
Day 4: The Gospel Made Visible
Description: Our lives as Christians should make the gospel visible to others. This means living out our faith in tangible ways, such as through acts of service and generosity. Our community initiatives, like Operation Christmas Child, are opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ and bring joy to others. By embodying the gospel in our actions, we become a living testimony of God's love and grace. [38:07]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate the love of Christ to someone in your community today. How can your actions make the gospel visible to them?
Day 5: Finding Joy in God's Breadcrumbs
Description: God leaves "breadcrumbs" of His love and goodness throughout our lives, even in the midst of trials. These small reminders, whether through nature, relationships, or daily blessings, help us to see His hand at work and find joy in His presence. By paying attention to these breadcrumbs, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and recognize God's ongoing work in our lives. [01:04:08]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the "breadcrumbs" of God's love and goodness in your life. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and find joy in His presence today?
Quotes
1. "As we come together from our very busy lives, I'm sure you've had all kinds of things that have happened this week into the house of the Lord. So we welcome you into the house of the Lord. And the posture that we take before the Lord is one of humility. It's also one of openness and open hands and open heart and an open Bible." [28:21] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Christian proclamation may make the gospel audible. So you're going to hear the gospel today. But Christians living together in local congregations make the gospel visible. The church is the gospel made visible. So no matter where you are, happy, sad, angry, anxious, whatever emotion you're feeling today, I want you to know that the joy of the Lord can be projected through a congregation that is on fire for him and has been set in this community for a specific task to share the gospel with not only our neighbors, but our community." [37:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our joy often withers when our security is threatened. Now I'm talking about the Assyrians and the Babylonians coming. You think about Israel's security being threatened. That's a big threat. The Assyrians camped right outside of Jerusalem. Hezekiah prays, they're taken out. But the Babylonians will actually end up taking Jerusalem. Later, and primarily if you look at Israel's history, especially during this time, it was Assyria. Then it was Babylon. Then it was the Persian Mede Empire. Then it was the Greeks. Then it was the Romans. This was always happening. The time of Jesus who was occupying Jerusalem. The Romans. There is always a threat. Always. And when we feel threatened and our security is threatened, guess what? What begins to wither? Our joy." [41:20] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Whether it be you or me, you, me, or if you're watching online, we can't ensure our security and protection. No insurance company can protect you from harm calamity in this world. No government can promise perfect safety and security while we occupy this current world. The most expensive monitoring system or antivirus software cannot keep your investments and your property perfectly safe. And that is unsettling today. Even if you don't know Jesus, even if you don't know Jesus Christ." [47:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So if your joy was wrapped up in one of those things, your investments, you know your joy was wrapped in things and it's failed today your joy was wrapped in something it didn't go out as planned let me remind you of the words of jesus this morning out of matthew 6 19 through 20 don't store up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust can destroy and where thieves break in and steal store up for yourself treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves don't break in and steal here's the reality of living on this earth there will be hurricanes we can do nothing about people will often hurt you they'll ruin your figs poison your olives wipe out your stalls life will sometimes ruin your figs poison your olives and wipe out your stalls and jesus reminds us of this one simple truth our treasures on this earth can be stolen and destroyed and our joy will meet the same thing fate if it is only attached to this temporal existence." [58:28] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. So I have a question for you. Which side of the yet are you living on? It's a really important word. We can live on this side of the yet. My stalls are empty. I don't have any figs, the olive trees, and we can stay here and your joy will rot. Or you can go to the other side of the yet. And the other side of the yet says, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. Watch how the passage picks up. I will rejoice in the Lord. You see, reclaiming our joy is a conscious decision based on what we know about God instead of what we are experiencing right now. So which side of the yet are you on? You got to be honest with yourself. Which side of the yet are you on? And often we get on both sides and we need to hear the gospel to move us onto this side of the yet. To say that there is something to rejoice about today." [59:51] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Remember, your strength is found in God and not in your ability to produce your perfect life. We all chase the perfect life. The only life that we can find that is truly worth anything is in Christ. So we take this life and the treasures and the beauty that we have and we give it away. One of the ways that we give that away is through one of our local mission partners that we partner with called Samaritan's Purse. And this year we will do Operation Christmas Child one more time. And there will be children all over the world that will open up a box of love that has been wrapped with the gift of Jesus Christ and the love of the church and the local church. And God will use that in an incredible way." [01:05:00] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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