Don’t Lose Your Joy
Text: Habakkuk 3:17–19
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (KJV)
Introduction
Joy may be costly and difficult to obtain, but it is simple to cultivate if you connect with the source of joy. Happiness is easy to find and can be found in any situation; nevertheless, it is transient and only exists for a short time.
Now that we have reached halfway through the year, many of us are assessing our emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical well-being. Several people began the year with great faith in God and a sense of optimism, hoping to achieve breakthroughs, health, success, or restoration.
Nonetheless, as you stand here in June, you may face unexpected challenges, such as job loss, health issues, strained relationships, financial shortfalls, or spiritual tiredness. In these moments, it is easy to become discouraged or let your delight vanish.
God’s Word, on the other hand, invites us to take a different perspective; one that is not influenced by our circumstances but rather is based on a more profound truth: our delight is not dependent on what we have but on who God is.
As we progress through Habakkuk’s book, let us consider what it means to keep your joy in the face of life’s unexpected turns.
1: Your Circumstances May Not Change Immediately (v. 17)
Habakkuk depicts a bleak landscape. His portrayal includes a complete collapse of agriculture, with no figs, grapes, olives, cereals, or livestock. Rather than being a nuisance, this was a catastrophe for an agricultural community. In modern terms, this would be equivalent to losing your money, health, support systems, or security.
Habakkuk, on the other hand, is sincere; he does not hide his sorrow. This serves as a reminder that pretending everything is well is not a demonstration of faith. Recognizing difficulty without allowing it to consume your hope is the core of this.
Examining the period of January to June: many people began the year 2025 with prayer, vision boards, and resolutions. Nonetheless, you have probably experienced more “losses” than gains up to this point. Perhaps no mending occurred in the connection. The job did not proceed as expected. The diagnosis was confirmed here.
Furthermore, you are asking, “God, where are You?” This verse should serve as a reminder that while your circumstances may not change immediately, God’s presence in the midst of them remains constant.
2: Joy Is a Choice, Not a Feeling (v. 18)
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
This is amongst the most authoritative “YET” passages in the Bible. Habakkuk, the prophet, laments, “Yet I will rejoice,” even though everything is going wrong. He chooses delight because God remains deserving, not because everything is perfect. God’s presence causes joy, not the lack of barriers.
Hard soil is highly beneficial to the development of the fruit of the Spirit. This type of joy overcomes adversity, proclaiming, “I still have a reason to worship.”
Analyzing the period of January to June: where have you chosen to find joy in the face of disappointment this year? It is possible that you continued to pray despite your reservations. You were likely able to inspire others despite your discouragement. It is possible that you expressed thankfulness to God despite the tears running down your cheeks.
That does not indicate vulnerability but rather fortitude. This is a decision to choose pleasure. Moreover, that is precisely the paradigm Habakkuk used.
3: God Will Strengthen and Elevate You (v. 19)
“The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Deer feet, often known as hinds’ feet, are designed to travel across rough and hilly terrain. The words spoken are Habakkuk’s: “God will not only strengthen me but also equip me to walk where it appears impossible to walk.”
When God grants you hind feet, He does not always remove the mountain from your path; instead, He prepares you to climb it.
Examining the timeframe of January to June: what type of strength has God put on you that you were unaware you had? In what ways has He helped you get through difficult times?
It is possible that you have yet to experience your miracle, yet the fact that you are still standing is impressive in and of itself.
As you look ahead to the remaining months of 2025, remember that God has not finished your story. You are being prepared to walk in higher areas with increased faith, purpose, and unexpected benefits. He is preparing you to walk through these places.
Conclusion
The truth is that life is not always fair. Let us face it. However, God’s faithfulness remains unshakable. As a result, your joy must be based on Him rather than your current circumstances.
Do not let the failure of your plans steal your delight. Do not let the disappointment of others force you to lose your joy. Do not let the fact that the year did not start as you had hoped hinder your enjoyment.
It is because God remains your strength even amid disaster. To this day, He works behind the scenes. Still, He is doing well.
Reflection and Application
As you reflect on your journey from January to June, take some time this week to:
Write down your blessings and burdens. Acknowledge both.
Ask God for renewed strength and joy. Pray Habakkuk 3:17–19 over your life.
Encourage someone else. Sometimes joy grows when we help others find theirs.
Let the declaration of Habakkuk be yours: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Prayer
Father, even when the fig tree doesn’t blossom and the vines don’t bear fruit, I choose to rejoice in You. Be my strength in weakness. Lift me to higher places and teach me to walk with steady feet, even on rocky ground. I will not lose my joy, because I have not lost You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
John Aderogba for ROPMI