Rejoicing in Lean Times

Times are a bit lean, and with the "Unaffordable Careless Act" combined with carbon based industry killing regulations, times may be getting leaner - at least for the middle class, who always has to bear the weight of government policies. 

So, now might be a good time for middle America to rise up with one voice and rage against the powers that be - or maybe not.  I think raging is over rated, while voting out all the cronies, left and right, would have better results. However, I don't think looking to the government to bless us or even attempt the right thing has nuch of a chance of success. 

Let me suggest an alternative: Praising God!  Really?  Yes, really.  Listen to what the prophet Habakkuk wrote: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior …" (3:17, 18).

In the face of very difficult and uncertain times, Habakkuk chose to rejoice in the Lord, because he knew, as the contemporary catch-phrase says, "God's got this!"  He was certain of the outcome of his life and the blessings God had in store for the future as well as the strength for the journey. 

The apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell centuries later encouraged disciples to "rejoice always" (Phil 4:4) because he knew we can deal with any circumstance "through Christ who strengthens [us]" (v. 13). 

Jus' Sayn.