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 now 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 joy of the  Lord God is my strength,…

DAILY READING – Matthew 19:16-30; Numbers 11-12; Ecclesiastes 8

As the year rounds up, the echo of different News Headlines can be heard from around the world.  Unfortunately many of these headlines are negative. For instance of the 13 major global headlines in November 2019, all of them were mostly negative news. From political clashes in Ethiopia that has claimed many lives, to  escalation of protests in places like Iraq,  Hong Kong  and Colombia; to spates of hate killings and even Internet Blackout in Iran; are all negative news. This is perhaps a mirror of the increasingly confusing state of the world. Apart from these major headlines there has also been several unfortunate  international incidences of terrorist attacks, kidnappings , mass shootings etc,

While these may be taking place in the world, on the contrary most of us as believers  can testify that God has been good to us this year.  Indeed it seems while darkness  prevailed in Egypt, we as God’s people in Goshen , have been dwelling in the light. Somehow God has preserved us from evil and blessed us on every side. 2019 may have not been perfect, we may have seen some tough times,  but still, we can’t deny that indeed God has been good to us. Whatever we may have lost, we have not lost our lives or lost our minds. We are still in the game of life.  And to him that is joined to the living there is hope.

And this is why as we come into this last month of the year, we must deliberately look back and  say ‘Father thank You’.  And there is so much to thank God for. We thank Him for protection, for provision, guidance, for His grace that endures  and for His help. Indeed if it had not been for The Lord on our side, where would we be?  God has not allowed the year to see the end of us rather we are seeing the end of the year.  Left to the enemy many of us would not be here, but despite all the arrows sent our ways, we have been shielded by God’s grace. Through the Blood of Jesus we have been preserved. And even today, concerning us, that precious blood of the lamb continues to speak ‘Passover’ to every evil. Indeed by the Blood our lives are protected in the remaining days of this year and in the years to come in Jesus Name.

Certainly we have every reason to be grateful to God. Therefore, whatever the situation we must maintain our joy. 1 Peter 1:8, tells us to rejoice ‘with joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ Unspeakable joy, is unexplainable joy. It is the joy you can’t explain in natural terms.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 says ‘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 now 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 joy of 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.’

Though you may not have seen all your goals fulfilled, there is still every reason to thank God for all His marvelous works.. When you are a thanksgiver, the earth will continually yield its increase to you. Psalm 67:3,7 says ‘Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.’

So no matter the situation today maintain your joy. This Joy is the source of your rising to your high places and still seeing even greater goodness before the year finally rounds up. Depression or lack of joy can stop you from getting to your destined place. The harvest fails when joy is withered away from the sons of men. [Joel 1;12]. Therefore, ensure you remain thankful, praise-full and joyful in this new month. If the devil steals your joy, he has stolen your strength. But as we begin to engage the mystery of joy, we will move up to our high places. Only the joyful become fruitful, because Joy secures for us divine Presence which causes us to win all the time.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to remain joyful and keep praising You in the remaining days of this year. No matter the situation, let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth. As I praise You, I know indeed that I must surely ride upon my high places in Jesus Name.

Quote

Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.