Homilist Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail… I. THE GREATEST MATERIAL DESTITUTION is possible to a good man. It is possible for the fig-tree not to blossom, etc. Man lives by the fruits of the earth. They may fail from one of two reasons. (1) From human neglect. It is the eternal ordination of God, that what man wants from the earth for his existence he must get from it by labour — skilful, timely, persevering labour. They may fail(2) From Divine visitation. The mighty Maker can, and sometimes does wither the fruits of the earth, destroy the cattle of the fields. II. The HIGHEST SPIRITUAL JOY is possible to a good man. "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." "Spiritual joy," says Caleb Morris, "is a free, full, and overflowing stream, that takes its rise in the very depth of the Divine Essence, in the immutability, perfection, abundance, munificence of the Divine nature. While there is a God, and that God is happy, there is no necessity that there should be any unhappy Christians." What is it to "joy in God"? 1. It is the joy of the highest contemplation. The joys of contemplation are amongst the most pure and elevating which intelligent creatures can experience. These rise in the character according to their subjects. The highest subject is God, His attributes and works. 2. It is the joy of the most elevating friendship. The joys of friendship are amongst the chief joys of earth; but the joys of friendship depend upon the purity, depth, constancy, reciprocity of love; and friendship with God secures all this in the highest degree. 3. It is the joy of the sublimest admiration. Whatever the mind admires it enjoys, and enjoys in proportion to its admiration, whether it be a landscape or a painting. Moral admiration is enjoyment of the highest kind, and this in proportion to the grandness of the character. Admiration of Divine excellence is the sublimest joy. "I will joy in God." III. The highest spiritual joy IN THE MIDST OF THE GREATEST MATERIAL DESTITUTION is possible to a good man. "Although" every material blessing is gone, "I will rejoice." Good men have always been enabled to do so. Like Paul they have "gloried in tribulation," etc. All things have been theirs. In material destitution they felt — 1. In God they had strength. "The Lord God is my strength." "As thy day, so shall thy strength be." 2. In God they had swiftness. "He will make my feet like hinds' feet." The reference is here perhaps to the swiftness with which God would enable him to flee from the dangers which were overtaking his country. It is, however, a universal truth, that God gives to a good man a holy alacrity in duty. Duty to him is not a clog or a burden, but a delight. 3. In God they had elevation. "He will make me to walk upon mine high places." "They that wait upon God shall renew their strength, and shall mount as on the wings of eagles," etc. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: |
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