Daily Devotions for Sunday, July 20, 2025: Even Then, I Will Rejoice

 

The Daily Devotional

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Even Then, I Will Rejoice

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, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17–18)

Introduction

These verses from the prophet Habakkuk are among the boldest declarations of faith in all of Scripture. He paints a picture of complete devastation—no crops, no livestock, no visible provision. And yet, in the face of loss and emptiness, he does something extraordinary: he rejoices in God. Not just endures, not just survives—he rejoices.

Habakkuk teaches us that true faith is not anchored in our circumstances but in the character of God. His joy is rooted not in what he has, but in who he knows.

Reflection

Imagine a man who has spent months preparing a garden. He tills the soil, plants the seeds, waters daily, and watches for the first shoots to appear. But as the season unfolds, disaster strikes—hail flattens the young plants, drought follows, and nothing grows. All his effort seems wasted.

Now imagine that same man, standing at the edge of that ruined garden, lifting his hands to heaven and saying, “Even then, I will rejoice.”

That’s what Habakkuk is doing.

Faith like that doesn’t grow overnight. It’s cultivated. It’s built during the quiet days when the sun shines, so it can stand firm when the storm comes. It’s like a marriage—when spouses build deep trust in seasons of calm, they can cling to each other in crisis. Or like a skilled sailor, who learns to navigate calm seas so he can endure when the winds howl and the waves rise.

Application

If you’re in a season of hardship, it’s okay to acknowledge the pain. Faith doesn’t deny reality—it declares a deeper reality.

Here’s today’s challenge: Rehearse your trust in God today, even if life feels uncertain. Speak aloud the goodness of God. Journal your blessings. Sing a worship song when your heart feels heavy. These simple acts prepare your spirit for deeper resilience.

And if you’re in a good season right now—give thanks and build your trust intentionally. Pray. Study. Worship. Because storms come. And when they do, the faith you nurture now will hold you fast.

Conclusion

Habakkuk teaches us that joy isn’t tethered to abundance—it’s rooted in relationship with the unchanging God. You may not control the harvest, but you can choose to rejoice in the One who holds every season in His hands. Even when all is lost—even then—you can rejoice.

Prayer

Gracious God, You are my strength when I am weak, my joy in sorrow, and my hope in every season. Teach me to rejoice in You, not only when life is full, but also when it feels empty. Build in me a faith that endures hardship, and help me to trust You even when the fig tree does not blossom and the stalls are bare. Let my heart declare each day: You are enough. Amen.

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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.