Yet I Will Rejoice: Finding Joy in Life’s Trials

Devotional

Day 1: Rejoicing in God Despite Loss and Hardship

Even when everything seems to be falling apart—when resources dry up, relationships falter, and hope feels distant—God calls His people to a deeper kind of praise. Habakkuk faced a time when the fig tree did not blossom, the vines bore no fruit, and the fields yielded no food, yet he declared, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” This is a praise that is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging character of God. When you find yourself on the “front side of your yet,” weighed down by burdens and disappointments, remember that authentic worship often springs from the valley, not the mountaintop. God is worthy of praise, not because of what He gives, but because of who He is. [40:17]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV)
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Reflection: What is one area of loss or disappointment in your life where you can choose today to say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,” and offer Him praise in the midst of your pain?

Day 2: God Is Our Unchanging Strength

When everything else is unstable—when people change, resources fail, and the future is uncertain—God remains steadfast and unchanging. Habakkuk realized that his strength was not in crops, livestock, or outward blessings, but in the Lord God Himself. Like the sure-footed deer that climbs high places, God gives His people the ability to rise above their circumstances and stand firm. No matter what you lose or what storms you face, if your strength is tied to God, you will not be shaken. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He will empower you to dance on your difficulties and walk in victory. [40:19]

Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV)
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Reflection: Where do you usually look for strength when life gets hard, and how can you intentionally anchor your strength in God today?

Day 3: Remembering God’s Faithfulness in the Past

In times of trouble, it is vital to look back and remember how God has worked in your life and in the lives of His people. Habakkuk, in his prayer, recalled God’s mighty acts and faithfulness, which gave him hope for the present and future. When you are tempted to despair, take time to review the ways God has provided, protected, and delivered you before. This remembrance fuels faith and enables you to trust Him even when you cannot see the way forward. God’s past faithfulness is a guarantee of His future provision. [46:07]

Psalm 30:5,11-12 (KJV)
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Reflection: Take a few minutes to write down three specific times God has come through for you in the past—how does remembering these moments encourage you to trust Him with your current struggles?

Day 4: The Power of Self-Examination and Communion

Before partaking in the Lord’s Supper, believers are called to examine themselves, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus and the new covenant in His blood. This act is not just a ritual, but a sacred moment to reflect on Christ’s love, confess our shortcomings, and renew our commitment to Him. As you remember His body broken and His blood shed for you, let it lead you to gratitude, humility, and a deeper desire to live in a way that honors Him. Communion is a reminder that, no matter our failures, God’s grace is available and His love endures. [01:20]

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 (KJV)
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Reflection: As you prepare your heart for communion, what is one area where you need to seek God’s forgiveness or renew your gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice?

Day 5: Persistent Prayer and Trust in God’s Sovereignty

God invites His people to pray without ceasing, trusting that He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think. Even when the trials of life seem overwhelming and the answers are slow in coming, persistent prayer keeps us connected to God’s heart and reminds us of His power. He is not distant or indifferent; He is present, able to heal, deliver, and provide. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and all things work together for good to those who love Him. Keep praying, keep trusting, and watch God move in ways beyond your imagination. [22:44]

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
Pray without ceasing.

Reflection: Who is one person or situation you are tempted to give up praying for? Commit today to lift them up to God again, trusting in His timing and power.

Sermon Summary

Today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for God has given us another opportunity to gather in worship, to lift up His holy and righteous name, and to remember His faithfulness. We are reminded from 1 Corinthians 11 of the importance of remembering Christ’s sacrifice, examining ourselves, and approaching the Lord’s table with reverence and gratitude. Through prayer, we acknowledge that every blessing—life, health, strength, and the privilege to worship—comes from God’s loving hand, even when we do not deserve it. We intercede for those who are struggling, trusting that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think.

The heart of our reflection comes from Habakkuk 3:17-19, where the prophet, facing utter devastation and loss, declares, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk’s circumstances were bleak: no crops, no livestock, no visible hope. Yet, his faith was not anchored in what he possessed, but in who God is. He teaches us that authentic praise often arises not from abundance, but from adversity. When everything else fails, God remains our strength, our salvation, and our reason to rejoice.

Habakkuk’s journey moves from pain to praise. He reveres God’s glory, reviews God’s past faithfulness, rests in God’s timing, rejoices despite disappointment, and relies on God’s sovereignty. This is not a denial of pain, but a declaration that God is greater than any loss or trial. Our praise is not contingent on temporary blessings, but on the eternal assurance of salvation and God’s unchanging nature. Even when trouble is on the horizon, we can shelter in God’s faithfulness, knowing He will give us “hinds’ feet” to walk upon high places—dancing on our problems, rising above our circumstances.

As we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we remember Christ’s body broken and His blood shed for us, the ultimate provision that secures our hope and joy. No matter what we face, we have reason to rejoice, for God is our strength, our salvation, and our ever-present help. Let us leave with the assurance that, come what may, we can say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

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Key Takeaways

1. Praise in the Midst of Pain True worship is often born out of adversity, not abundance. Habakkuk’s declaration to rejoice even when everything was lost challenges us to praise God not because of our circumstances, but in spite of them. This kind of praise is costly, honest, and deeply transformative, reminding us that God is worthy even when life is hard. [45:03]
2. Faith Anchored in God, Not in Blessings Habakkuk’s joy was not tied to the fruit on the vine or the cattle in the stalls, but to the unchanging character of God. When all visible sources of security are stripped away, faith that is anchored in God alone will endure. This teaches us to shift our trust from what God gives to who God is. [52:32]
3. Moving from Pain to Praise: The Five R’s The journey from despair to joy involves revering God’s glory, reviewing His past faithfulness, resting in His timing, rejoicing despite disappointment, and relying on His sovereignty. Each step is a spiritual discipline that helps us process suffering and find hope, rather than being paralyzed by our problems. [47:10]
4. The Assurance of Salvation is Enough for Joy Even if every earthly blessing is lost, the assurance of salvation is reason enough to rejoice. Our eternal hope in Christ outweighs any temporary loss or hardship. This perspective shifts our praise from being circumstantial to being rooted in the unshakeable promise of God’s redemption. [60:06]
5. God Empowers Us to Rise Above Our Circumstances Like the deer on high places, God gives us the strength and sure-footedness to navigate life’s rocky terrain. He doesn’t always remove the obstacles, but He enables us to dance on them, using our trials as platforms for His glory. Suffering, when surrendered to God, becomes the very means by which we are lifted higher. [64:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11
[02:59] - Opening Prayer
[05:14] - Responsive Reading
[06:50] - Mission Statement
[07:13] - Praise and Worship
[17:58] - Announcements
[22:16] - Youth Dismissal & Intercessory Prayer
[29:01] - Offering and Blessing
[39:35] - Introduction to Habakkuk 3
[41:07] - “Yet I Will Rejoice” – Facing Loss
[45:03] - From Pain to Praise: The Five R’s
[47:36] - Painful Praise
[54:46] - Possessional Praise
[62:22] - Provisional Praise
[73:29] - Personal Testimony & Invitation
[78:34] - Lord’s Supper
[84:50] - Closing Thanks and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (KJV) — 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Observation Questions

According to Habakkuk 3:17, what specific losses and hardships does the prophet describe?
In verse 18, what is Habakkuk’s response to these losses?
How does Habakkuk describe God in verse 19, and what does he say God will do for him?
The sermon mentions that Habakkuk’s praise was not based on his circumstances but on who God is. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this point? [[52:32]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Habakkuk chooses to rejoice even when everything around him is falling apart? What does this say about his faith? [[45:03]]
The pastor talked about “moving from pain to praise” and listed five steps: revere, review, rest, rejoice, and rely. How do these steps help someone process suffering instead of being stuck in it? [[47:10]]
The sermon says, “Being saved is enough for a shout.” Why is the assurance of salvation considered enough reason to rejoice, even if all earthly blessings are lost? [[01:00:06]]
What does it mean for God to give us “hinds’ feet” to walk on high places? How does this image help us understand how God empowers us in hard times? [[01:04:39]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that “authentic praise often arises not from abundance, but from adversity.” Can you think of a time when you praised God during a hard season? What did that look like for you? [[45:03]]
Habakkuk’s faith was anchored in God, not in blessings. Are there things in your life right now that you are tempted to put your trust in instead of God? How can you shift your focus? [[52:32]]
The pastor described the “Five R’s” (revere, review, rest, rejoice, rely) as a way to move from pain to praise. Which of these steps is hardest for you, and why? What is one practical way you could practice it this week? [[47:10]]
The sermon challenged us to rejoice even when trouble is on the horizon. Is there a situation in your life where you are expecting difficulty? How can you prepare your heart to praise God in advance? [[56:38]]
The assurance of salvation was described as “enough for a shout.” When was the last time you thanked God simply for saving you, apart from any other blessing? How might this change your attitude in daily life? [[01:00:06]]
The image of God giving us “hinds’ feet” means He helps us rise above our circumstances. What is one “rocky place” in your life right now, and how can you ask God to help you “dance” on it instead of being defeated by it? [[01:04:39]]
The Lord’s Supper reminds us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. How does remembering what Jesus did for you help you face your current struggles with hope and joy? [[01:18:34]]

Sermon Clips

There's a painful praise. When Habakkuk opens up this hymn, he delineates a catastrophe—said there's no fruit on the fig tree, there's no grapes growing on the vine, there's no olive, no produce of any kind, there's a lack of sheep, there's a lack of cattle. And after all of this woeful description, Habakkuk says, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. [00:47:47] (43 seconds) #PainfulPraiseRejoice

How many of you can and will break beyond the barrier of your burdens and bless the name of the Lord? This is where Habakkuk separates himself. His joy was not contingent on physical blessings. If Habakkuk suffered extreme loss, he was determined to still praise God. [00:52:09] (37 seconds) #JoyBeyondLoss

I've learned to stop depending on people and I've learned to put my trust in an unchanging God. No matter what's going on in your life, God never changes. That oughta be a reality, there ain't reason to shout, because we live in a world full of hypocrites. You can believe one thing one day and believe something else the next, but I serve a God that he's been the same before, now, and he will be forevermore. [00:58:26] (37 seconds) #TrustInTheUnchanging

At the end, verse 19, the Baptists said, The Lord God is, He is my strength. He has made my feet like the feet of a deer. And makes me walk on my high places. When Habakkuk said, The Lord God is my strength. Habakkuk can only properly pray this after he prayed the prayer of faith in the previous verses. He rightly declared that his strength was not in the fig tree, the olives, the vines, the fields, or the flowers. But his strength was only in the Lord God. [01:02:38] (51 seconds) #StrengthInTheLord

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