The Sovereign Lord Is My Strength

I love the month of December for many reasons but one great joy is receiving all those Christmas letters from friends and family.  I love seeing the pictures of how the kids have grown, read of all the happenings in the lives of people who have touched my life over the years.   This past December was a very difficult time for our family.   As the anticipated letters arrived in our mailbox, I found that I was struggling to enjoy the bright, cheery updates.  I felt the sting (and sin) of jealousy.   By God's grace, He did not leave me there - struggling with that sin on my own.   Many years ago, during another very difficult time in my life, God used His Word to comfort and strengthen me and this passage was again brought to my mind and heart during this past Christmas season.  Let me share it with you

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 not 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 go on the heights.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

God used this passage (again) to draw me back to Himself.  He is the Sovereign God and sees the plan for my life (and my child's life) from His perspective.  In this I can rejoice.  In this I can even be joyful.  And when I wonder how, I remember God's words - HE is my strength - HE makes my feet like the deer - HE enables me to go on the heights.  I'm reminded of song we have sung often at camp '"It's all about you, Jesus…and all this is for you, for your glory and your fame…It's not about me, as if you should do things my way… You alone are God and I surrender to your way."  Surrender to His ways - and rejoice!