Key Takeaways

The Gap is real, painful and costly. The Gap is where we choose. The Gap is where God works.

The Gap isn’t just the difference between what we expected and what we are experiencing. Sometimes it is hard, painful, and costly. Yet, through the book of Habakkuk we are reminded that when we choose to rejoice in God and trust him in all circumstances, the gap is where he does his work in and through us.

• The Book of Habakkuk – In the final verses, Habakkuk reviews the weight of all that is lost around him. His words seem as bleak as the future he sees before him. However, he turns it around, even amidst his struggles, and rejoices in the Lord, who is his strength and salvation.
• The Cost of a Gap Season – Sometimes we have to walk through seasons or experiences that are very real and very hard. They come at a cost, and the price can sometimes seem unfair.
• Choosing to trust God – We get to decide how we will face every challenge that we go through. We can choose to rejoice in God in the middle of our circumstances, joyfully reflect on how he has been with us in the past, and trust him fully with our future.
• The Gap is where God works – Habakkuk reminds us that God is our strength and he makes us surefooted. Through a hard and challenging season God is able to strengthen and grow us, better than if the path was straight and easy.

Want a printable version of this Message Guide? Download it through the link below!

Pray

As you pray this week, praise God for the way he has been with you in the past and choose to trust him for your future.

God, through the hardships we endure, we still choose to delight in you. In Habakkuk 3:19, your word reminds us that “the Lord is my strength,” and today, regardless of what we may be facing, we stand firm in that truth. You are sufficient, and your grace is enough for us.

Lord, we repent for the moments when we question you or complain when life becomes difficult. Too often, we lose focus in the middle of hardship, but we acknowledge that our circumstances do not change your character or the promises of your word. You remain faithful, constant, and good through every season.

Thank you for choosing to work through our circumstances and for using our struggles to point others toward the hope and saving grace found in you. Meet us where we are today, Lord. When we grow weary and struggle to keep walking, carry us where you are leading us. Strengthen our faith, refine our hearts, and help us trust you more deeply through every trial.

It is in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise God for he is trustworthy.

Thank God I’m Free – Elevation Rhythm

Move of God – SEU Worship

Always on Time – Elevation Worship

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

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. – Habakkuk 3:18-19

• Scripture –Habakkuk 3:17-19
• Read – Timeless Trust  a three day devotional
• Watch – Bible Project’s Chara/Joy
• Listen – Habakkuk 3 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

Gap seasons are real, painful and costly. Yet, they are where God works in and through us.

• Consider a difficult season you have had to walk through in the past. What made it hard? What did it cost you?
• As you reflect on that time, where do you see that God was working, even if you couldn’t recognize it at the time?
• What would you say you gained through your struggles?

Read Habakkuk 3:18-19. Habakkuk chooses to praise God, and trust him even as the future looks bleak. How can you praise God today?

• Describe a time in your past when you felt God’s presence in your life. How does that impact your trust in God for your present and future?
• What is one way you can choose to rejoice in God even if your present circumstances are not what you envisioned?
• What do you find most challenging about fully trusting God with your future?

Sometimes our gaps are as simple as choosing to remain faithful to God, even when it doesn’t seem to be paying off.

• What is something you feel God has called you to, that you have not yet seen come to fruition? What has that journey been like for you? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned? What keeps you faithful, even amidst disappointments?

Next Steps

• Connect with God every day this week in your Slot and Spot. Praise him for his authority over your past, present and future.
• Choose to remain faithful to your relationship with God. Join us again next week for our brand-new series Built Different.
• In the coming weeks, spend some time praying about leading a J-Group this summer. Connect with a J-Group leader you know to find out more.

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week? Share it in the comment section below.