Unexplainable Joy

I love it when a scripture jumps off the page at me screaming, “This is for you! This is for you!” Well, maybe not literally but the Holy Spirit definitely illuminates certain verses at just the right moment. I’ve been praying for someone who is in a situation that is hopeless unless the Lord intervenes. I recently received a letter from him, asking to pray that he would have the faith of Noah and of Joseph,who both faces insurmountable odds. I am praying God would give him faith that surpasses that of both of these men, and that God would give him unspeakable joy in the midst of his suffering. 

As I was praying and seeking the scriptures, three verses seemed to scream at me. Habakkuk 3:17-19 say,
                   
                     “Though the fig tree should not blossom
                
                     And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will exult in the Lord,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

 The Lord God is my strength,

And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,

And makes me walk on my high places.”

Even when Habakkuk could see nothing praiseworthy on this earth, he still chose to rejoice in the Lord. I am reminded of the lyrics of Matt Redman's song, “Blessed Be the Name. ”

He gives and takes away, but blessed be His name.  

I'll never forget sitting in a worship service in Mexico, three months after Michael died, while everyone around me sang these words. Even though they expressed the cry of my heart, I couldn't even get the words out of my mouth. He had both given and taken away my husband... Would I still choose to say, "Blessed be His name"?

Will we rejoice in the midst of incredible hardships and suffering? I believe it is when we rejoice that we are changed. We no longer focus on our circumstances but on the glory of the Lord. It is then that we find peace. It is then that we experience unexplainable joy.

I am curious about the end of this verse. “And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me walk on my high places.” I’m going to have to do a little more research on this. If any of you have any insight, I’d love to hear it!