What Can't Be Taken Away

The beautiful terraced gardens and vineyards on the hillside in Cinque Terre, Italy, give me deeper insight this morning as I read His Words - 

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms;

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields

and the cattle barns are empty ... "

" ... yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

able to tread upon the heights."

Beautiful vineyards, and lush terraced gardens on hillsides in the land of grapes and olives - all pictures of prosperity and of happiness. And yet, even if all these things are taken away, if the fields become bare, if we find ourselves in difficult situations -  there can still be hope and joy. And peace. The source of the things we long for most in life will never be taken away.

Thank You, Lord, for these words (taken from Habakkuk 3:17-19), and these photos taken on our recent trip to Italy - reminding me that joy, hope, and peace can be ours everyday, no matter what circumstances we face. Just what I needed this morning, rescuing me from worry, and giving me hope and joy.


Linking up to Walk with Him Wednesdays, Brag on God Friday