Perhaps the theme of Habakkuk is Habakkuk 3:2a Lord, I have heard of your fame, I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord Renew them in our day Habakkuk knew of God's great work for his people - in the past. But in the present, he could not see God'S work. "Renew your goodness in our day" Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, Though the olive crop fails and the field produces no food, Though there are no sheep in he pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior. Habakkuk was writing at a time of devastating famine. No crops, no livestock, no food. "Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior." How can we find joy in the midst of discouragement? In the midst of defeat? In the midst of trouble that seems to have no end? We all face discouragement at times in our lives: finances, marriages, jobs, medical problems, relationship problems. We can deal with those when they last a short time. But when the struggle continues for a long time, it can go from struggle to discouragement. Long-term struggles can outlast your hope. Discouragement can set in and make it feel like there is no hope of change. What do we do then? Where do we go? Are we supposed to give up? Is this the new normal? How can we survive those times, not of days or weeks of struggles, but those struggles that go on for years? If The Lord chooses not to rescue us from the struggle, can we find joy again? Psalm 43:1-5 v 1-2 feeling rejected by God... In mourning... Oppressed by the enemy v 3 prayer for light and truth to guide him, to lead him to God, To lead him into God's presence. Discouragement causes us to withdraw from God and people. Ask God to guide you back into his presence. We tend to withdraw from God. The author here prays, God, guide me into your presence. "Send forth your light and truth, let them guide me" Discouragement is disorienting; making us think our struggles are bigger than God. Ask God to help you see your struggle in light of His Presence. v 4 go to the altar - worshipping God Worshipping God in the midst of discouragement renews the joy we find in his presence. v 5 why so downcast? Put your hope in God.