Dear Metro,

When I read the prayer below it seemed like an encouraging reminder along the lines of Revelation 2:8-11. May God bless you richly this week as you seek to keep your eyes on him, trusting that there is nothing coming this week that can conquer you!

In Christ and With You,
Aron

Heavenward by Scotty Smith

REJOICING IN OUR GOD WHEN WE CAN’T REJOICE IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

February 23, 2017

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Hab. 3:17-19 NIV

Heavenly Father, thank you for including Habakkuk’s faith-struggle in your Word. Sometimes we live with the illusion—make that, the lie, that if our lives were really pleasing to you, we wouldn’t have to go through many (if any) difficult things. Where did we ever get the notion that the “blessed” life was an easy life? Why did we ever think the “abundant life” would only include an abundance of creature comforts, predictable storylines, and happy outcomes?

Father, this we know to be true: Because the gospel is true—because you have given Jesus as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins; because you have robed us in his righteousness, adopted us into your family, and made us citizens of heaven… we can trust you, and we will rejoice in you. It’s not that hard things don’t hurt; it’s not that we won’t feel sad and mad, confused and alone, but we will trust you Father.

Though the doctor’s report says the cells are malignant, we will rejoice in you. Though our children still think our faith is silly, the Bible is fable, and life is futile, we will rejoice in you. Though our pastor fails us, a co-worker slanders us, or a friend betrays us, we will rejoice in you.

Though our church, company, or investments decrease, while everybody else’s increase, we will rejoice in you. Though the house contract falls through, our spouse’s job gets eliminated, or our insurance doesn’t cover an accident, we will rejoice in you.

Though it rains on our daughter’s wedding, our son gets kicked out of college, or there’s a sinkhole in our front yard, we will rejoice in you. You are at work in all things, all the time, no exceptions… for your glory and our good. Father, you are our strength and Jesus is our righteousness. So very Amen we pray, in his exalted and trustworthy name.

Scotty Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. 

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