the Righteous Live by their Faith

Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
and there is no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.

Observation: Worship/praise of God is not to be determined by whether or not one has earthly “success.”

Application: Some people worship God out of thanksgiving for what they have. Other people worship God out of a fear of going to hell. But the most authentic worship is the kind that worships God no matter what, even and perhaps especially when things are not going well. When signs of God’s earthly provision are lacking and one still worships, well, that’s about as authentic as worship gets. It’s little wonder then that the prophet also wrote “but the righteous live by their faith.” (Hab: 2:4b)

Prayer: Lord, help us all to worship you no matter what the outside circumstances might be like. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Habakkuk 1-3 and John 8)