OUR DAILY BREAD : THE VOICE OF FAITH

[cimi]

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19


THE VOICE OF FAITH

READ:
HABAKUK 3:17-18
________________________________________________________________________________
Though the fig tree
does not bud...
yet I will rejoice
in the LORD.
_______________________________________________________________________________

The news was numbing. The tears came so quickly that she couldn't fight them. Her mind raced with questions, and fear threatened to overwhelm her. Life had been going along so well, when it was abruptly interrupted and forever changed without warning.

Tragedy can come in many forms__the loss of a loved one, an illness, the loss of wealth or our livelihood. And it can happen to anyone at any time.

Although the prophet Habakkuk knew that tragedy was coming, it still struck fear in his heart. As he waited for the day when babylon would invade the kingdom of Judah, his heart pounded, his lips quivered, andhis legs trembled (HAB. 3:16).


Fear is a legitimate emotion in the face of tragedy, but it doesn't have to immobilize us. When we don't understand the trials we are going through, we can recout how God has worked i history (vv. 3-15). That's what Habakkuk did. It didn't dispel his fear, but it gave him the courage to move on by choosing to praise the Lord (v.18).

Our God who has proven Himself faithul throughout the years is always withus. Because His character doesn't change, in our fear we can say with a confident voice of faith, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength!" (v.19). __POH FANG CHIA

**Dear Lord, when my world is turned upside down, help me to trust You.
You have always been faithful to me.
_______________________________________________________________________
We can learn the lesson of trust in the school of trial.

********************Today's Bible Reading -- Habakkuk 3:16-18**************************
16 I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the
sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come
on the nation invading us. 17 Thought the fig tree does
not bud and ther eare no grapes on the vines, thought the olive
crop fails and the fields produce no food, thought there are no
sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice
in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like
the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Habakkuk's prayer in chapter three is the
prophet's response to a conversation he has been having with
the Lord about justice___for Israel and the surrounding nations.
After God responds to Habakkuk's two complaints, the prophet
launches into this song of praise for God's righteous deeds and
character. Habakkuk rehearses the great deeds of the Lord in
protection His people (vv.1-15), but he also admits his fear when
he sees the demonstration of God's power and judgment (v.16).
But his fear does not control him, because God is his hope and
strength (vv.16-19).
__J.R. HUDBERG