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.
Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 (KJV).‬‬

REFLECT:
A common thread we find amongst ourselves as human beings are how the aspect of attitude and seasons play out in our lives. We find that these two elements we know as attitude and seasons always work hand in hand.

Also, we notice that both elements are time-bound, or have a duration, which means they occur during a particular time, period, or frame. For example, we always find that an attitude of joy and rejoicing would always be expressed during a season of great achievement, success, and celebration. Whereas an attitude of sorrow, sadness, and despair would arise in seasons or times of great loss, bereavement, and anguish.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1(KJV).

” While the earth remaineth, seedtime, and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8: 22 (KJV).

Unfortunately, with the interactions of both elements and how they affect us, we notice how much we are bound and ruled by both elements. They dictate how we act, react, feel, and think. Our drive for achievement and success is based on how both elements affect us.

To put it clearly, we have become slaves and servants to these elements. Sadly, this was not God’s intended purpose for our lives at the beginning of creation. In the beginning, God created us to rule over times, seasons, circumstances, and situations.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26 (KJV).

Our initial purpose and destiny was for us to rule, and have dominion over times and seasons. To rule over our emotions, attitudes, and behaviors because we were infused with the pure genes of God’s Divine nature. However, we allowed sin into us to disrupt our makeup and the reverse of God’s initial intentions is what we see now.

Worst still, because of the sinful nature of man; man adopted the habit of allowing his mind to dwell more on the negative aspects of the seasons of his life rather than the good or positive. The reason could be the feelings and imprint of pain, fears, and trepidation these situations may have inflicted on the soul. By the way, it is needful to add here that all this has its root in profane worship and idolatry.

For this reason, joy and rejoicing seems not to be long-lived, or made full. So, in seasons of joy when we should be expressing joy to the overflow, but because of the lingering feelings of fear ingained in our souls, we put a check to the extent we need to express our joy.

Then in the seasons of drought and dryness, we tend to lament and despair so much and above what should be the case. Thus letting the bad overshadow us, which should never be. This way of life and living is what our Bible verse for today — Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 —- discourages us from doing. This Bible verse tries to teach and reorient our minds and entire personality to go back to what was once before at the beginning. Where God commissioned us to have dominion over circumstances and situations. ‬‬

We may wonder how this could be possible now that we are deviated from the plans and purposes of God because of the fall. The answer is that God did not leave us permanently in the situation that the fall and sin created. Rather He decided to come to us personally with a solution. God Himself came to earth in Christ Jesus to die for us on the cross.

Jesus’s death on the cross broke the power of sin in our lives, thus reconciling us back to God and also reinstating us back to what we lost in the beginning. He has given us back our dominion and power to rule over circumstances and situations.

This is confirmed in Luke 10: 19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (KJV).

The question we may be asking here is how can we key into this power and blessings. The answer is simply to accept Jesus into our lives as Lord and Savior. By doing so Jesus endows us with power from the Holy Spirit who will help us walk in dominion.

This means that whether in good and prosperous seasons, or seasons of dryness and drought we can take dominion over our situation, and rather than sorrow we rejoice and joyfully recount our gratitude and trust in God’s goodness and power.

When we choose to accept Jesus into our lives, He in turn gives us the privilege to receive His power to exercise our dominion over the affairs of life.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer to Rejoice in God.

FATHER GOD, I can’t help but be grateful and notice the ways that You’re working. Thank You for all that You’ve done, and for sending me, JESUS. Thank You for creating a way for me to know You, and for You to know me. Because of Your great love, I can rejoice at all times! Thank You. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AME.