Rejoice IN SPITE of our circumstance

News of today's tragic events in Samoa has brought great sorrow and sadness. They affect us all, to a varying degree. This tragedy touched an entire country. Regardless of our own optimistic tendencies, sorrow visits all of us. But there's another side to this. No matter how tragic our lives may be, no matter if we are given to depression and despair rather than happiness and joy, we are never left hopeless.

I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures, Habakkuk 3:17-18

17 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, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior

Even though everything was going against him, he never lost his joy in the Lord. After today's event, it's hard to find any joy if you were affected by the tsunami. Especially if you lost a loved one. But Habakkuk offers a powerful reminder that we should rejoice IN SPITE of our circumstances. If we only rejoiced when our circumstances warranted it, we wouldn't be a joyful bunch.

But we rejoice because we know we are not hopeless. That's because life is not a string of accidental circumstances. Life has a spiritual dimension that can always be buoyed by God's love, mercy, and grace. It's remarkable! No matter what we might be suffering, we can be sure that God will never leave us hopeless. No one is hopeless whose hope is in God. May our merciful God shine His light upon Samoa and her people. May His healing touch be upon all those that were affected by this tragedy. Be blessed.