Daily Lesson for August 17, 2020

 Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Habakkuk chapter 3 verses 17 and 18:

Though the fig tree does not blossom,

    and no fruit is on the vines;

though the produce of the olive fails,

    and the fields yield no food;

though the flock is cut off from the fold,

    and there is no herd in the stalls,

18 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

    I will exult in the God of my salvation.

These are the verses the partially-blind John Newton — former slave ship captain turn repentant pastor and author of the hymn “Amazing Grace” — is said to have preached on the occasion of the funeral of his own wife of 40 years. He had lost his beloved Mary, yet nonetheless he found cause to rejoice in the LORD. 

When Habakkuk penned these words he had seen his beloved Israel succumb to a kind of death also. Jerusalem’s walls were pierced. The people inside were starved. The leaders tracked down in the dusty plains of Jericho. The nation was in ruins, the capital a jackal’s haunt, and everything a total loss. 

And yet, the Prophet gave his praise. Even yet, he exulted in the God of his salvation.  

That’s such a strong word; and it may even be stronger for some of us in the days that are ahead. 

Let us keep the faith, friends — even if times get tough, even real tough. 

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow’s Lesson comes from Jeremiah chapters 41-45.