Worship Team DevosНамуна

Scripture

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Summary

Choosing to praise God when things are not going well reveals a lot about our trust in Him. Do we trust that God is working even when things are "bad"? Is there such a thing as "bad" if it comes from the hands of an all-wise, all-loving, all-powerful God? How about we substitute the word "bad" for the word "hard"? In the good times, and the "hard" times, God is good. That is the truth. Romans 8:28 says that God works together EVERYTHING in our life for our good and His glory. Even when we don't like it, even when it's uncomfortable, even when we wish things were going a different way... we can (and should) praise God. If He's allowing it, then it's for our good. And so we have a choice: we can complain, or we can praise. Let us be like Job and say, "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, but BLESSED be the Name of the Lord!"

Discussion Questions

1. When you're going through a difficult time, what is your default response?

2. Share a difficult season you went through, that you now see the good of.

3. How do we "take joy" in difficulties? What are some practical actions we can take?

4. (Optional) Does God "cause" all that is bad in the world? Discuss.

5. Any other thoughts, comments, ideas or questions you'd like to share?

Closing Prayer

Sovereign Lord. You are in control of all things. There is nothing that happens in our lives that doesn't first pass through your wise and all-loving hands. Thank you that you are the great physician. You cut us to heal us. Help us to trust you when things don't go how we want. Help us to praise you when you deal us a hard blow. Help us to know that you chasten your children because you love us...because it's good for us. Above all, help us to trust and believe that you are truly, eternally good. In Jesus' name. Amen.