Habakkuk, who authored the Book of Habakkuk, was a prophet of Judah from 612 B.C. to 589 B.C. The book narrates the journey of this prophet, beginning with his confusion and struggle, and concluding with him singing a song of triumph.

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The first two chapters detail Habakkuk’s questions and God’s responses. The prophet questioned God why a just God would allow sin to persist and why He did not punish the sinful people of Judah? He also questioned why God would use the wicked Babylonians to punish His own people? The answer was that God would employ the Babylonians to bring judgement upon Judah, but there was also a message of hope: once the punishment of the Jewish people was fulfilled, God’s punishment would also fall on the Babylonians.

The verse “The righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) is considered as the pinnacle of the Old Testament. Chapter 3 presents a prayer from Habakkuk, which praises the absolute sovereignty and the perfection of God’s will when the prophet’s faith reached new heights. In verses 17 to 19, Habakkuk gained a deeper understanding that no matter how great the danger or adversity, God always watches over and protectes His people. God is the sole source of our joy and renewed strength. The prophet rejoiced from the bottom of the heart, as he finally understood that God’s presence triumphs everything in this life. Through these three verses, this article shares a message about “rejoicing always”, exploring the profound truth of joy.

The Irrelevance of Wealth to Joy

Habakkuk stated, “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls” (Habakkuk 3:17), yet he would rejoice in the Lord. In his time, fruit trees, crops, flock and livestock represented the entirety of individual wealth and basis of their livelihood. Nevertheless, the author declared that even if he was completely destitute, he would still find joy in the Lord. This demonstrates that true joy is not dependent on material possessions. Those living in abject poverty can experience profound joy, whereas many well-off people may struggle to find happiness in their lives.

A human being can be seen as comprising three components: body, mind, and spirit. Individuals are sustained not only by the body, but also by the mind and spirit. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63) The Scripture also states, “And Jesus increases in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) Here, wisdom represents the mind and will, while stature refers to the physical body. What both God and people love about Jesus is His spirituality.

Spiritual health requires nourishment and healing from God’s Word. A joyful spirit can guard against many illnesses, particularly those arising from intense mental stress. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) Only God’s Word can bring the complete healing for an ailing spirit.

Similarly, when we discuss education -- a frequently mentioned topic, successful education is not merely about physical fitness and academic achievement. It also concludes the development of noble moral character, the ability to love, and the capacity to build good interpersonal relationships. Wellness of the body, mind, and spirit ensures true peace and joy.

Seminary education emphasizes the holistic development of the spirit, morality, intellect, physical well-being, and social skills. Spirituality is prioritized to guide moral, intellectual, physical, and social education, enabling comprehensive personal growth. A narrow focus on academic success, with substantial investment in intellectual education while neglecting spiritual and life education, can lead to self-centered personality. The absence of life education can pose challenges for both families and society, as spiritual anxiety and poverty deprive individuals of the ability to feel spiritually fulfilled and to love others as well as themselves.

The concept of “property” referred to by Habakkuk can be extended to fame and status, family and friends, knowledge, health, and more. The prophet, who had been struggling in agony, found joy because God answered his questions. In response to God’s explanation, Habakkuk demonstrated faith through his prayer. His experience encouraged us to boldly bring our questions to God when we are in doubt, as our confusion is often attributed to our limited understanding of Him.

Paul was able to find joy even in the dire and destitute conditions. He said, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, in insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Paul understood that with the strength provided by the Lord, he could accomplish anything. In contrast, there was a young rich man in the Bible who sought eternal life but could not give up all his wealth to follow the Lord. Despite his great wealth, he was deeply sorrowful. (Matthew 19:22)

Joy and Happiness Come Only from God

Habakkuk realized that true joy could only be found in God. As his understanding of God deepened, his spirit grew stronger and more empowered.

Joy Through a Closer Relationship with God. Joseph revered God, and God’s presence was with Joseph. As a result, God’s spirit dwelt within Joseph, granting him wisdom beyond that of others and joy that transcended all obstacles. Despite being falsely accused multiple times and imprisoned, Joseph remained hopeful and joyful, eager to help others solve their problems. A joyful life is the manifestation of God’s life within the human soul. Those who dwell in God’s presence will undoubtedly live joyfully, as true joy originates from God. A heart that rejoices is the one that relies on the Lord. The psalmist David once repented, “Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me -- now let me rejoice.” (Psalms 51:8) Paul also wrote, “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” (Philippians 3:1) “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

“The heights” refer to spiritual peaks, representing a breakthrough in faith and the splendid and radiant scenery of God’s kingdom, visible after passing through the mist and fog of difficult circumstances. We believe that this wonder is beyond words.

Author: Li Shan

Translator: Bei Feng