I Will Be Joyful

As I sit and write this devotion, the morning news is filled with sadness. We are doing better in the COVID-19 pandemic, but we haven’t gotten there yet. Numbers and graphs are looking better but many of us are getting “cabin crazy” and just want to regain some kind of normal. Many of us need a haircut and would love to go to our favorite restaurant for a meal. In the midst of my depression, I made a phone call and no one was at home, but the answering machine said at the end, “Make it a great day.” I know it’s not possible to make every day a “great” day, but I realized that there is something beautiful in every day no matter what the circumstances are.

From our scripture, Habakkuk was having my kind of day. As a prophet, God had shown him that none of the crops and livestock would be fruitful. There were many hardships coming his way. His people would experience extreme poverty (v. 16). Because of this, Habakkuk experienced great fear. Despite all of this, Habakkuk said he “would rejoice in the Lord” and “be joyful.” Hebrews 13:5 says God will never fail or abandon us. Isaiah 61:3 says, “He, the One who provides for those who grieve, is our ultimate reason for ‘joy.’ ”

Prayer: Lord, no matter my circumstances, help me to find joy in You. Help me to “Make It a Great Day” because we know that You are our ultimate reason for joy!

Habakkuk 3:18 – “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God, my Savior.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Canva