Praise That Defies the Season: Trusting God Anyway

In the third chapter of Habakkuk, we encounter a prophet standing in the midst of devastation—no figs on the tree, no grapes on the vine, no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stall. The economy is collapsing, the future is uncertain, and the pain is communal. Yet, in the middle of this barren season, Habakkuk makes a radical choice: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” This is not a praise that comes easily or naturally. It is a praise that defies the season, a praise that is rooted not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God.

There are times when praise flows effortlessly—when prayers are answered, when abundance is visible, when life feels secure. But there is another kind of praise, a “storm praise,” that emerges not from what we see but from who we know God to be. Habakkuk’s journey is a lesson in shifting from protest to worship, from demanding answers to changing posture. He teaches us that faith is not proven in comfort but in conflict, when we choose to trust God even as the world around us falls apart.

This kind of praise is deliberate. It is a conscious act of the will, a decision to rejoice even when nothing around us gives reason to celebrate. It is not about pretending everything is okay, but about proclaiming that God is still worthy. Joy, in this context, is not the absence of sorrow but the presence of God. Even when the future is unclear, we trust the Author of our story, knowing that He is still writing chapters of hope and restoration.

God may not always remove the mountains before us, but He equips us to climb. Like the mountain deer, He gives us sure footing in unstable places, enabling us to stand steady and even stride in victory through adversity. Praise reconnects us to the Source, shifting our focus from our circumstances to the One who sustains us. Sometimes, praise is loud and visible; other times, it is a quiet fire burning within. Either way, we are called to praise anyway—not because of what is happening around us, but because of what we refuse to let die inside of us: our faith, our hope, and our trust in God’s unfailing love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Praise that Defies the Season: True praise is not dictated by our circumstances. Even when everything around us is barren and hope seems lost, we are called to praise God because of who He is, not because of what we have or lack. This kind of praise is a declaration that our soul will not be ruled by the season we are in. [07:38]
• 2. Faith is Proven in the Valley: Our faith is not truly tested on the mountaintop, but in the valley—when we have nothing left but trust. God is looking to see how we respond when we are at our lowest, when all we can do is look up. It is in these moments that our faith is revealed and refined. [12:37]
• 3. Deliberate Rejoicing: Rejoicing is not a passive feeling but an intentional act. Like contestants called to “come on down” on a game show, we are to respond with deliberate, physical, and emotional gratitude, not just for what God has done, but for who He is. This kind of rejoicing is a spiritual discipline that lifts us above our circumstances. [14:42]
• 4. God Equips Us for the Climb: God may not always remove the obstacles in our path, but He empowers us to navigate them. Like the mountain deer, we are given stability and sure-footedness in unstable places. Our praise elevates our position, turning survival into victory and enabling us to walk in strength even when the terrain is rough. [25:35]
• 5. Praise is an Inside Job: Sometimes, praise is not visible to others—it is a fire burning quietly within. Even when we have no words or outward expression left, we can still praise God in our hearts. This internal praise is just as real and powerful, sustaining us through seasons when outward celebration feels impossible. [33:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:27] - Praise Anyway: The Call to Worship in Hard Times
• [03:07] - Habakkuk’s Valley: Faith in the Midst of Loss
• [05:10] - Praise that Defies the Season
• [07:14] - Communal Struggle and Unyielding Praise
• [08:46] - Worship Beyond Circumstance
• [10:02] - Seasons Change, God Remains
• [11:34] - Faith Proven in Conflict
• [13:30] - The Power of “Yet” and Deliberate Rejoicing
• [16:56] - Praising God for Who He Is
• [18:49] - Joy is the Presence of God
• [20:07] - Trusting the Author Without Seeing the End
• [21:35] - Praise Reconnects Us to the Source
• [23:25] - Praise that Elevates Your Position
• [25:35] - God Equips Us for the Climb
• [27:45] - From Survival to Strides
• [30:07] - Praise is What You Refuse to Let Die
• [33:21] - Praise is an Inside Job
• [37:06] - Keep Praising Anyway
• [38:16] - Faith Beside: Trusting God Despite Circumstances
• [41:45] - Closing Invitation

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 losses and hardships Habakkuk describes in verses 17-18? How do these reflect the situation of the people at that time? ([05:10])
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between “easy praise” and “storm praise”? ([01:27])
3. What does Habakkuk say he will do in response to his circumstances, and what words does he use to describe his attitude? ([13:30])
4. How does the image of the mountain deer in verse 19 help us understand the kind of strength God gives? ([23:25])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the preacher say that “praise that defies the season” is important for believers? What does it mean for praise to not be dictated by circumstances? ([07:38])
2. The sermon says faith is proven in the valley, not on the mountaintop. What does this reveal about the nature of true faith? ([12:37])
3. The word “yet” in verse 18 is highlighted as powerful. What does this word show about Habakkuk’s decision to rejoice? ([14:11])
4. The preacher compares God’s help to the sure-footedness of a mountain deer. What does this metaphor teach us about how God equips us in hard times? ([25:35])

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when your life felt “barren” like Habakkuk’s—no visible blessings, no clear answers. How did you respond? Did you find it hard or easy to praise God in that season? ([05:10])
2. The sermon says, “Don’t let lack steal your worship.” What is something you feel you have lost or are lacking right now? How might that be affecting your praise? ([08:46])
3. The preacher talks about “deliberate rejoicing”—choosing to praise on purpose, not just when you feel like it. What is one practical way you can practice deliberate rejoicing this week, even if your circumstances don’t change? ([14:42])
4. When you face obstacles or “mountains” that God doesn’t remove, do you tend to get discouraged or look for ways God might be equipping you to climb? Share a recent example. ([25:35])
5. The sermon says, “Praise is an inside job.” If you’re in a season where outward praise feels impossible, what does it look like for you to keep a “quiet fire” of praise burning inside? ([33:21])
6. The preacher mentions that sometimes we want to see the whole picture before we trust God, but faith means trusting the Author even when we can’t see the end. Is there an area of your life where you need to give the “pen” back to God? What would that look like this week? ([20:07])
7. Who in your life needs to see an example of “praise anyway” right now? How can you encourage them or share your story of trusting God in hard times? ([37:06])