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.’

DAILY READING – John 18:38-19:16; 2 Chronicles 29; Psalm 8

Isaac Watts was a popular Christian hymn writer, credited with writing over 750 hymns, many of which remain in use today and have been translated into numerous languages. However, reading through the hymns written by Watts, one would never suspect that while writing those hymns, he fought battles with his health. But despite the numerous challenges he faced, he decided to continually give God worthy praise. He refused to focus on his problems but rather focused on God’s promise.
Watts’ health began to fail at a young age, and though frail in body, he didn’t let is stop his progress.
His Hymn writing began when as a young boy, he realized that the hymns of the day were not expressing the kind of joy he felt. He desired to write hymns that would bless The Lord and impart joy into the hearts of people. One day when he complained to his father about the dull hymns being sung at their family church, his father encouraged him to write better ones. And so he began writing hymns that expressed the joy of The Lord within him. One of these is the very popular Christmas hymn; “Joy to the World; the Lord is come.” Isaac Watts wrote mostly hymns of praise, which were widely accepted and well loved.
As a pastor in London, sometimes his illness would keep him away from his growing congregation, yet he would write them letters filled with hope and good cheer. He sought to bring joy to others and out of his compassion, one-third of his allowance was given to the poor.
Isaac Watts had every reason to have focused on his health challenges and remained depressed. However, he chose to give God praise instead, and today the world is blessed with so many beautiful hymns from him as a result.

Often times, we may have a good reason to feel down and discouraged, but we have to make a decision not to follow our feelings. Depression will only give room to the oppression of the enemy. We walk by faith and not by sight. You need to stop looking at the problems and focus on God’s promise. The ‘sacrifice of praise’ is praising God even when our circumstances dictate the contrary.
Hebrews 13:15 says ‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name’

We don’t just praise God when it feels good, looks good, or benefits us in some way. We offer praise, “continually.” As I Thessalonians 5:18 says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The truth is that in life’s journey sometimes you may have to pass through some valleys before you can get to your mountaintop. And though you may sometimes walk through the valley of the shadow of death, never forget that ahead, God has prepared a table for you, and your cup is about to run over.
However, you must stay joyful and praiseful to see the harvest God has promised you.(Habakkuk 3:17-19).
Don’t give in to negative emotions and allow them to keep you from God’s blessings and promotion. Fix your eyes on Jesus and not on the negativity. Choose to live each day in God’s peace, by spending time in His Word until joy is imparted into your heart. Then maintain an atmosphere of joy around you and in all things keep giving God thanks. As you do so, you will see God work in your life in greater ways than you can ever think or imagine.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to maintain a praise-full lifestyle, no matter what comes my way. I know that indeed You are too faithful to fail and even right now you are at work to turn every mourning into dancing for me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
When we fight by God’s help we are sure of victory. WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

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