For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Julie Proctor
I admire Habakkuk, and all the other Old testament prophets and saints that trusted God and rejoiced in Him, even in extreme difficulty. As New testament Christians we have more evidence that this is the will of God for us. We can look back at those stories of what God did in His Word, like providing manna in the desert for the israelites. And since he's the same God yesterday today and forever, he can do the same for us today...even if every other food source dried up! So there is nothing to fear! We should rejoice always in the Lord! God is worthy of all our praise no matter what we're going through or what the circumstances look like. And if we can't seem to rejoice in anything else, we can rejoice in the fact that we are his kids, loved by Him and what's coming after this is far greater than what we're currently experiencing. So we can look ahead to what may be produced through the struggle by faith or at the very least we can look ahead and know that this isn't the end for us because of what Jesus did for us, Heaven is our eternal home.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[16] Rejoice always! [17] Pray constantly. [18] Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:18
[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
Jack Gutknecht
Wonderful insight, Julie!