Though the fig tree does 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 joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like deer’s feet,
he makes me tread upon my high places.
Habakkuk 3:17–19
Experience has shown us that the circumstances of our lives can change in an instant. A car or necessary appliance breaks down, or a job ends and money becomes tight. A sudden illness or untimely death brings pain and sorrow we never thought we would face. The mountains of life stand before us as seemingly immovable obstacles. In such times, it can be easy to despair. For believers, however, even in the tough times we can hold onto joy.
Because we are covered by God’s perfect love, we can place all our troubles at his feet. He gives us the strength to rejoice in our legacy of salvation, making our steps steady and sure so that we can journey to heaven with great joy and fullness of heart. We have been transformed by the cross and made into new creatures, full of the expectation of the glories that are to come. This gives us the freedom to live in joy and peace even when circumstances are bleak and difficult. Even when joy seems elusive, we know we have the grace and the freedom to choose it.
Questions for reflection
How has Jesus revealed his love to you in the midst of struggle and loss?
Have you experienced joy and peace in the midst of suffering? What was that experience like?
How can you share the delight of God’s presence with a brother who is struggling today?
Praying with Scripture
You show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. (Ps 16:11)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
