#soap #private #habakkuk #habakkuk03 ## Title: Praise in the Darkness ## Scripture: (Habakkuk 3:17-18) “When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen and there are no cattle in the stalls— I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!” (NET) ## Observation: This passage reminds us that outward signs do not indicate God’s goodness. One time, I had to attend a meeting in the evening. Before leaving, my daughter said, “If you love me, you’ll stay home.” Now, this was not because I had not spent time with her that day. It was merely her way of expressing she would miss me while I was gone. However, this moment highlighted how I often unintentionally treat God. I will say, “If you love me, You’ll do what I like. You will make all things appear great in my eyes. You’ll make the sun always shine.” However, this is not how God shows His love. God shows His love in the sunshine and in the rain. Actually, some of my greatest experiences with God were not in the sunshine. They were in the darkness. It was there I saw how powerful the Lord really is and how much He loves us. This does not mean we desire bad times to come. It means we no longer fear walking through them alone. We see difficult seasons as opportunities for seeing the greatness of God. ## Application: Reframe your difficulty today as an opportunity to see the Lord in a fresh way. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for walking with us in all things.