Rejoice in the Lord
Habakkuk 3:16-19
Scripture Reading:
#1. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy (Psalm 92:1-4)
#2. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)
Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.
1 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the church in one,
holy Zion's help forever,
and her confidence alone.
2 All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.
3 To this temple, where we call You,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with accustomed lovingkindness,
hear Your servants as they pray;
and Your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4 Lord, here grant to all Your servants
what they ask of You to gain,
what they gain from You, forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in Your glory
evermore with You to reign.
5 Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
one in might, and one in glory,
while unending ages run.
Reading of the Law: Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Father of mercies, we confess that we have sinned against you. By your Holy Spirit, come and work repentance into our hearts. Help us to see you as you are: with outstretched arms, a loving heart, and power to save. Help us to see Jesus, the friend of sinners, and to follow him more faithfully. As we have received him, so strengthen us to walk in him, depend on him, commune with him, and be conformed to him. Give us an experience of your grace that makes us bold for others, that we might joyfully tell our friends and neighbors of your saving mercy. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Reading of the Gospel: I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:25)
Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 56-60
Question #56
Q. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?
A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.
Acts 3:14-15; Matt. 24:30; Luke 9:26; Matt. 25:31; 1 Thess. 4:16; Acts 17:31.
Question #57
Q. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?
A. Christ by his mediation hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.
Heb. 9:12; 2 Cor. 1:20.
Question #58
Q. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?
A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.
John 1:11-12; Titus 3:5-6.
Question #59
Q. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?
A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.
Eph. 1:13-14; John 6:37, 39; John 10:15-16; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 4:13.
Question #60
Q. Can they who have never heard of the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?
A. They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Saviour only of his body the Church.
Rom. 10:14; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; Eph. 2:12; John 1:10-12; John 8:24; Mark 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:20-24; John 4:22; Rom. 9:31-32; Phil. 3:4-9; Acts 4:12; Eph. 5:23.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God that he loves us perfectly and that his care for us is never changes.
Prayer of Supplication Supplication: Ask God to watch over those who are lonely and to heal the sick.
Bible reading and commentary: Habakkuk 3:16-19
Habakkuk 3:16–19 brings the prophecy of the Book of Habakkuk to a striking and deeply pastoral conclusion. The book as a whole records a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and the Lord. Troubled by the wickedness in Judah, Habakkuk first questions why God seems silent in the face of injustice (1:1–4). The Lord answers that He is raising up the Babylonians as instruments of judgment (1:5–11), which leads to a second complaint: how can a holy God use a nation more wicked than Judah? (1:12–2:1). God responds by affirming His sovereign justice, declaring that “the righteous shall live by faith” (2:4), and pronouncing woes upon the proud and wicked. The book then culminates in chapter 3, a prayer of worship that reflects on God’s mighty acts and His covenant faithfulness.
In 3:16–19, Habakkuk moves from trembling fear to steadfast faith. He vividly describes his physical distress at the coming judgment—his body trembles, his lips quiver—yet he resolves to “quietly wait for the day of trouble.” This is not passive resignation, but active trust in God’s purposes. The famous declaration follows: though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, though the fields yield no food and the flock be cut off, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD.” Habakkuk anchors his hope not in outward prosperity, but in God Himself.
To reflect on this passage we see that it highlights God’s absolute sovereignty over judgment and blessing, and the believer’s call to live by faith alone. Even when providence appears severe, the Lord remains the covenant God of His people. Habakkuk’s final confession—“God, the Lord, is my strength”—echoes the truth that saving faith clings to God’s character, not circumstances. This is a mature, resilient faith that trusts and rejoices, even in loss.
A fitting way to close with John Calvin is this reflection from his commentary on the Book of Habakkuk:
“Though the Lord may for a time afflict us, yet it is our duty to rejoice in Him; for we shall ever find in Him sufficient cause for joy, though the whole world should fail us.”
This captures Habakkuk’s final posture beautifully—faith that rests not in visible provision, but in the unchanging character of God.
Closing Hymn: The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Amen.
Closing Scripture: And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15)
The Lord’s Prayer (together):
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.