Habakkuk had the secret of a happy life, and here it is for you, “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: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:17-18). The meaning is clear; although the Chaldeans invade the land and burn up the vineyards and olive yards, hinder the harvest, steal the flocks, and rob me of every earthly possession; yet I will rejoice in the Lord. Will you say that in the day of calamity?

The Christian has Joy. “I will rejoice.” Christianity is not a system of melancholy. Many people may have long faces, but every true believer in God has a joyful heart. The joy of the Christian is not that superficial kind of mirth that finds expression only in “roars of laughter.” It is more like the calm of the settled water in the deep sea, undisturbed by those elements that constantly affect the surface. “The peace of God that passeth all understanding.”

This Joy is in the Lord. “I will rejoice in the Lord.” This joy implies knowledge. You cannot rejoice in the Lord unless you know Him. If you knew Him you would love Him. If you loved Him you would rejoice in Him. We cannot rejoice in God as we ought until we have found in Him that which satisfies every desire of the heart, and fills up every longing of the new-born life. See that little dog creeping over to that sunny spot on the carpet? How it rejoices in the sunshine. The reason why so many Christians are not filled with joy is because they don’t abide in the bright warmth of the Holy Spirit. Friends, the cross of Christ is the only bright spot on earth where guilty men can share the joy and happiness of Heaven.

This Joy is the Joy of Salvation. Habakkuk says here, “I will joy in the God of my salvation.” “How is it that you are always so happy, Annie?” asked a visitor who had called and marked the little girl’s brightness. “Oh!” she said, “I am happy because I am forgiven.” After the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea, they struck up the Song of Salvation (Ex 15:1). How can they help from singing who have been saved? Jonah was in a sore plight when swallowed by the great fish, with the weeds of the deep wrapped round his head…

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;

Pleased so intensely it seems, beyond strength;

Pleased in the body and pressed in the soul,

Pressed in the mind till the dark surgesrloll.

Pressure by foes, and pressure fom fiends.

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends. Pressed into knowing no helper but God;

Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;

Pressed into faith for impossible things.

Pressed into living a life in the Lord

Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.