CMA HeartBeat June 2022 | Page 9

EVANGELIST ARTICLE

EVANGELIST ARTICLE

IT

seems that everywhere you go , and every time you talk to someone , you hear stories of pain , tragedy , loss , fear , struggles in finances , broken relationships , problems with health , and the list goes on and on . We are not immune to such troubles ourselves . All of us reading this go through struggles and hardships , losses , and even daily life tends to grind on us .
It reminds me of some scripture in Habakkuk .
“ Though the fig tree may not blossom , Nor fruit be on the vines ; Though the labor of the olive may fail , And the fields yield no food ; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold , And there be no herd in the stalls — Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation . The Lord God is my strength ; He will make my feet like deer ’ s feet , And He will make me walk on my high hills ” ( Habakkuk 3:17-19 , NKJV ).
The part I want to focus on is YET , Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation . The thought is that no matter what life brings us , what trials we may go through , we can rejoice and have joy in the God of our salvation . Even to have the mindset that when things are going terrible , we can stop and say AND YET .
It says in the verse above that God is our strength . It tells us in the Bible that when we are weak , He is strong . When we are going through the most challenging trials , God carries us through when we lean on Him . It ' s God who gives us peace
when there shouldn ' t be any peace . What does it mean to make my feet like deer ' s feet ? It was kind of a weird thought , but have you ever spooked a deer and watched it spring into action . Jumping over amazing obstacles , dodging anything in their path , lightning-fast as they evade predators , able to bound over tall fences . God helps us spring into action , get past unforeseen obstacles , and bound over the troubles of this life .
Even more , God says He will make us walk on high hills . This refers to God giving us the grace , courage , and inner strength we need to press on to attain new heights and experience new vistas . Amid trying times , it ' s easy to get discouraged . Habakkuk lived in trying times , but his solution was redirecting his attention to the LORD . With God ' s promises as our firm foundation , we can walk in freedom and courage , as unafraid and undaunted as a deer leaping in high places .
How about you ? Are you able to trust God ' s plan for your life ? God says , “ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you , says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil , to give you a future and a hope ” ( Jeremiah 29:11 , NKJV ).
So , we all go through hard times , but turn your attention to our caring , loving Father , turn your attention to the end prize , our salvation in Jesus Christ . We are not people without hope . We are also not people without help . “ God is our refuge and strength , A very present help in
trouble ” ( Psalm 46:1 , NKJV ). Because of our loving Savior ' s sacrifice , all we need to do is believe and accept His free gift of salvation . Then we turn our eyes upon Jesus and a future with no tears , no pain , and no sadness . We can live in His Holy presence and dwell with Him for all eternity . CMA
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