Today's encouragement comes from Habakkuk 3:17 & 18, where we find these lovely words:
"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 maturing Christian churchman does not look to circumstances, in order to be happy and content. Ultimately, we look to Jesus alone. Only Christ has the provision, in Himself, to fully satisfy our souls. Even if everything else went perfectly well for us—if we lacked Christ, we would have nothing of eternal value.
Perhaps some of our fig trees are not blossoming today. Does it really mat-ter? Do we possess Jesus, in the context of His church, by faith? If so, we may fully and freely rejoice in Him, and in His perfect and powerful redemp-tion of us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Remember this point: Christ the Reconciler has undertaken with God the Father both to satisfy His justice and to subdue your hearts so that you shall no longer be enemies to Him.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]
