“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 no 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.” This passage from Habakkuk 3:17-18 was the answer I needed to hear.
You have to understand how I read the Bible through each year before I can tell you what the question was. After completing each book I ask Jesus what book I’m to read next. I’ve sensed this is what He wants me to do as I’ve read through the Bible front to back many times.
This particular year I was reading the Minor Prophets and was stopped after Nahum. I was directed to go back and read 1 Samuel, then 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and finally 2 Kings. It would have seemed logical to finish out with I and II Chronicles. Instead I was directed to go finish the Minor Prophets picking up where I had left off at Habakkuk.
The Spirit of God is alive! I “just happened” to be reading the above passage the exact day I faced a pretty good test that could have led to great discouragement and the temptation to take my drug of choice. Yet, our God speaks to and cares about His children.
He knew the test and the exact day that test would come. He gave me the order of reading the Word to have me at the exact passage I needed in order to get the truth I had to put into my shield of faith to ward off the attack He knew was coming. I had the truth already in place to filter out the lies presented by my enemy. This truth was the answer to the question, “Would this discouragement defeat me or would I choose the Spirit’s power to defeat it?”
I chose victory! The smile on my face is owed to the awesome God that I love. You’ll experience this same victory as you practice listening to and following Him everyday everywhere for yourself, even in your Bible reading.
“S”et Free Nowww