HIGH PRAISE in Low Places!

How do you generally handle low times in life?
 
In our word for this week, Habakkuk shows us how to walk on high places while passing through low times.
 
“Yet I will exult in the Lord, and I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hind’s feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”  Habakkuk 3:18-19
 
 “Yet.”  A simple, three letter word that reveals to us how Habakkuk handled a low time just over the horizon.
 
As God’s prophet, Habakkuk has just received a breaking news bulletin that was nothing but bad news. Soon the nation would be invaded by the barbaric Babylonians. Everything would be lost for a time (verses 16-18).
 
 Habakkuk’s response: Panic? No! PRAISE!! Yes!!! “Yet I will exult in the Lord, and I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
 
Exult. Rejoice in the Lord…Habakkuk’s faith response to bad news.
 
Amazing isn’t it?  Knowing ahead of time that disaster was just around the corner, Habakkuk dug in, stood firm in his faith, and met the bad news with words of praise. I do not know about you, but I am glad that God usually spares me from knowing about low times ahead of time. Thank you Lord for lovingkindness, mercy and grace!  
           
Robert Schuler said it well when he remarked “Tough times never last but tough people do.” Spiritually tough, faith-hardened people are unbeatable and undefeatable because they have learned to praise God during tough times.
 
·      God’s prophet made a pre-emptive decision.
 
Habakkuk had great faith during a time when it would be easy and even acceptable to worry, be fearful and even doubt. No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, I (Habakkuk) choose to focus my faith on God and rejoice in His holy name. He alone is my strength. He will cause me to walk on high places during these low times.
 
NOTE: “WALK ON MY HIGH PLACES.”  
 
Hind’s feet on high places…walking above trouble by trusting in the living God.
 
I can visualize antelope (hind’s feet) on the side of rugged mountains, confidently and safely making their way to their destination.   
 
What a picture of freedom from frustration, peace during turmoil, and power over pressing problems. How do we get this? By exulting and rejoicing in the God of our salvation.
           
Habakkuk’s faith catapulted him above the fearful fray of invasion and captivity. The prophet already had his response plan in place: PRAISE AND TRUST!!!  People of faith praise God no matter what is happening in their lives.
 
Are you going through a tough time right now? Business stalling? Bank account on fumes? Ministry stagnant? Health declining? Mariage stalling? People bugging you? Depressed? Discouraged? Disappointed? Distracted? Anxious? Fearful? Feeling low?
 
What is your response? How are you handling your low time? Panic or Praise? Do not allow a low time to steal praise from your lips. Rise up and rejoice in the Lord during the trial or trouble.
 
The practice of heartfelt praise and worship takes our focus off us and our problems and places our faith firmly and confidently on Almighty God and His supernatural solutions!
 
Tough times never last but people who put their faith in the Lord do!!!!!!  
 
·      The Lord has “high places” for you just as he had for Habakkuk.
 
My friend, why not turn your valley into a mountaintop by trusting God through praise and worship of His holy name?
 
Never, never, never let a low time in life keep you from praising and trusting in the Lord to turn your down day into an up one! Almighty God specializes in taking the impossible and turning it into possible for those who trust Him.
 
You decide if there is anything too difficult for God. My Bible declares there is nothing too difficult for our Creator and Redeemer!
 
  A Word For Your Week: Low times become high times when we praise the name of the Lord.