Rejoice in Our Saviour

Hebrews 11:1 describes faith like this:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Everyone, to some degree, daily demonstrates a measure of faith.  After buying a new car we trust the sensor on the fuel tank is reasonably accurate.  We trust motivated workers to finish the task they were assigned without feeling the need to check on them.  When we place our faith in God as revealed in scripture we are also are convinced and sure of unseen realities.  The Bible gives us insight to the character and power of God to save, forgive, help and save.  Without ever seeing Jesus Christ many people trust and love Him, not because they are weak-minded or mentally unstable, but because of the historical account of His life, death and resurrection.

One of my favourite passages that explores the victorious, sustaining faith in a child of God is seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19:  "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour 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--¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ¹⁹  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."  The prophet Habakkuk had no hope of a harvest of figs because the fig tree did not blossom.  It seemed there would be no wine because there was no fruit on the vines.  Food was scarce because the fields yielded no produce and there were no flocks or herds.  In the midst of a hopeless situation, Habakkuk was able to rejoice in the LORD because God was his Saviour.  We are excited at the prospects of a fruitful harvest and seeing our resources multiply, yet we are called to walk by faith and not by sight.  All hope is not lost when all seems lost because our rejoicing is in our God.

These verses in Habakkuk show me the folly of substituting good prospects for God.  In the midst of the trial we see "the light at the end of the tunnel" and find solace our troubles will be soon resolved.  This may be little more than a mirage which plunges us deeper into despair when our hopes are deferred again.  We soothe ourselves with the chance of small gains rather than in God who has already given us all things.  The LORD God is our strength, wisdom, redemption, righteousness and nothing can separate us from His love.  Jesus said He is preparing a place for His followers and will come again and receive us.  Shouldn't Jesus be who lifts our heads because our Salvation draws nigh?  Our LORD and Saviour is able to sustain His people with water from the rock, Living Bread from heaven and the comfort of His presence.  Our Good Shepherd is able to lead us safely through fire and flood, drought and storm day and night.

See the victory provided by faith in Jesus for those who are grieved when all other hopes are exhausted in 1 Peter 1:6-9:  "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."  When Job was critically ill by the hand of Satan he uttered these inspired and immortal words in Job 19:25-27:  "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; ²⁶ and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷ whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"

Hope in God, you His people!  Rejoice in your Saviour, all who look to Jesus in faith!  The LORD is our strength and will enable us to stand now and forever in His glorious presence.