Mitigating Dread-2

MITIGATING DREAD-II—Habakkuk 3:16-17(:16-19)

(Alleviate/Relieve/Lessen/Diminish)

Attention:

Dread—‘Something you fear greatly, or are apprehensive about.’

Mitigate—‘To cause to become less harsh.’

Need:

What is YOUR worst Nightmare?

What brings Dread/Pressure/Fear/Anxiety/Worry to your life?...

...NOT felt need, but REAL Dread!

The Holy Spirit thru the prophet Habakkuk, produced a heart-song that mitigated/alleviated the dread of a destined invasion.

God’s people have a heart-song available to them that mitigates the dread of destiny.

When does your heart-song mitigate a dread of destiny?

Previously we found that, Dread of destiny is mitigated when your heart-song properly measures...

1. POSSIBILITY’s POTENTIAL(:16-17)

2—Dread of destiny is mitigated, when your heart-song properly measures...

JOY’s POTENTIAL(:18)

Explanation:(:18)

:18—“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Habakkuk would be completely ‘anxiety ridden’ were it not for his trust in YHWH(:18).

•In fact, DESPITE his trust in YHWH, he is still destined to face the certain destruction of everything which is dear to him is questioned...his way of life as a citizen of the nation whom God chose, protected, empowered, & tutored!

“Yet” answers the “though” of :17. Despite(“Yet”) the difficulties surrounding him personally, Habakuk has come away with the reality that, no matter one’s circumstances, there is ALWAYS reason to “rejoice in” YHWH.

*The reason for such rejoicing is an ETERNAL FOCUS, rather than a TEMPORAL/earthy focus.

“Salvation” ultimately comes only by God’s hand & not by the hand of man. A person may live their entire earthly life experiencing little pleasure in their circumstances &/or surroundings.

•Your city/area may continue to degrade & crumble. The area that was once prosperous & inviting, people might choose to all-of-a-sudden leave in droves.

•The economy where you live may hit rock bottom so there is nothing to support anything attractive to others. You may live in area that you dearly want to leave behind. The church & the church-house where you & your family have poured all of your resources may seem to be waning, while others seem to thrive.

•You may be hit hard by a ‘natural disaster’ that causes you to lose everything & displaces you to a place you neither own or would choose.

•In times of dismay & dread, a person can still find true “joy.” A person can ONLY find such undefeatable “joy”, “IN the Lord”(YHWH—the eternal God). ...You will only find such “joy” in “the God of your salvation”...Do not focus on your “salvation” from current difficulty, but focus instead, on the ‘GOD’ of your ETERNAL “salvation.”

“Joy in the Lord is especially seasonable when we meet with losses & crosses in the world.”—Matthew Henry

•Christians/Believers/God’s People in oppressive societies “reflect a joy & gladness that puts” most American believers “to shame.”?—Adapted from: ‘The Peace Of Faith’—@ SermonCentral by Dennis Davidson--Apr 20, 2009

?In What is your soul’s “joy” found?

Argumentation:

1Pet. 1:3-9—“Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible & undefiled & that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, & glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible & full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.”

Php. 4:4—“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Mat. 5:11, 12—“Blessed are you when they revile & persecute you, & say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice & be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

*Rom. 15:13—“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2Cor. 7:4—“Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.”

Js. 1:2-4—“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect & complete, lacking nothing.”

1Thess. 2:19—“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”