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?”
1Pet. 4:12-17—“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory & of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; & if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1Jn. 1:1-4—“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, & our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, & we have seen, & bear witness, & declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father & was manifested to us-- that which we have seen & heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; & truly our fellowship is with the Father & with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
Illustration:
My salvation experience & call to pastoral ministry/My life since being saved has been easy compared to some/Yet answering the call of obedience thru pastoral commitment has been no ‘picnic in the park’ for my family & me/If I had known in the beginning of my ministry, what would be required of me, I would have been very tempted to leave it altogether!/I could not have done, nor could I do anything empowered of God if I could not find “joy” in Him alone!/JOY’s POTENTIAL
•A transformed life is a joyous call for rejoicing at the deepest level of one’s being!
•Our 15+mth old grandson is ‘toddling’ around now/He bumps into things/He stumbles a good bit/He falls down/He quickly toddles around the house erratically/He loves to go outside/& he knows that a doorknob must be turned in order to get outside/He can reach the doorknob & put his hand around it, but he doesn’t have the Strength to turn it, so it causes him no end of frustration/He cries & runs to Pa-paw(me), Gigi, Momma, or Daddy, who ‘fixes’ it so he can go out/He knows WHO to go to, to ‘make it better’/He knows WHO will bring JOY back into his situation/Without the right One to change our situation, our most dire situations remain hopeless, & thus JOY is absent from them!/JOY’s POTENTIAL
•The Potential for either failure or victory, is bound up in our relationship with God!
Application:
?Are you PROPERLY measuring JOY’s POTENTIAL for your worst dread/nightmare/fear?
?Is YOUR Dread of Destiny Mitigated by YOUR heart-song?
3—Dread of destiny is mitigated when your heart-song properly measures...
STRENGTH’s POTENTIAL(:19)
Explanation:(:19)
:19—“The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”
The motivation for any believer’s joy(3:18), particularly in dire circumstances, is that YHWH “God” Himself has become their “strength”! The most interesting aspect of God’s being one’s “strength” is that this touches every area of one’s life past, present, & eternal.
When you allow “The LORD God” thru your heart-of-hearts, to be the Eternally Existing Master of your life, He will place your “feet” as He does the “feet” of a “deer.”
•God’s people will be sure-footed despite encroaching threats upon one’s ‘place’/station in the world.
•God’s “deer” have the certainty & confidence that they are part & parcel with the landscape that God has given them. They are readily seen on the “high hills.” Yet they, in effect, ‘own’ them. They will confidently “walk” “on” the “high hills” that belong to them, & to which they belong by God’s ordaining!
Notice that Habakkuk, the prophet & all who trust God, will “walk” & neither flee nor run in fear, even when the heat/pressure comes(Jer. 17:7-8).
Jer. 17:7-8—“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
•Prayer journaling can keep you continually reminded of God’s ever-present strength & blessings.
These realities & concepts of relationship with God, are to be sung from the heart of hearts of those who are God’s people! They are not meant to be hidden or kept secret, as it is intended for “the Chief Musician.”
“The Chief Musician” put the words to music. The song & it’s message would provide encouragement thru generations, being sung for & by the populace!
?What works of God are ascribed to Him, thru your favorite Christian hymns/songs?
?What is your song?—mine is: ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’
Argumentation:
*2Cor. 12:7-10—“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
*Php. 4:11-13—“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Eph. 6:10-18—“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, & having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, & having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, & the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer & supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance & supplication for all the saints--& for me...”
Eph. 1:15-23—“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus & your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom & revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, & what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead & seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality & power & might & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, & gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Eph. 3:13-21—“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven & earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted & grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width & length & depth & height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever & ever. Amen.”
1Pet. 5:8-11—“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, & settle you. To Him be the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.”
Heb. 10:32-36—“But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches & tribulations, & partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, & joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better & an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:”
Illustration:
I know an elderly Christian couple(the wife has passed away) whose first child was a ‘special needs’ child. That same couple had a second child who is also a ‘special needs’ child. The couple has always borne that ‘stigma’(in men’s eyes), with God’s Grace. For them, the strength of God’s Grace became their source of confidence(strength) & joy/STRENGTH’s POTENTIAL
(AGAIN), Our 15+mth old grandson loves to go outside/& he knows that a doorknob must be turned in order to get outside/He can reach the doorknob & put his hand around it, but he doesn’t have the Strength to turn it, so it causes him no end of frustration/He cries & runs to Pa-paw(me), Gigi, Momma, or Daddy, who ‘fixes’ it so he can go out/He knows WHO to go to, to ‘make it better, fix it, or ‘make it work’/Without the One with the Strength, our most dire situations will remain hopeless!/STRENGTH’s POTENTIAL
Application:
?Are you PROPERLY measuring STRENGTH’S POTENTIAL against your worst dread/nightmare/fear?
?Is YOUR Dread of Destiny Mitigated by YOUR heart-song?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Action:
Dread of destiny is mitigated when your heart-song properly measures...
2. JOY’s POTENTIAL for your worst dread/nightmare(:18)
3. STRENGTH’S POTENTIAL for your worst dread/nightmare(:19)
1. POSSIBILITY’s POTENTIAL for your worst dread/nightmare(:16-17)
?Are you giving God His full potential?
!PENDING delivery!
