Today David focussed on the final three verses of the book of Habakkuk (3:19-21). The prophet’s words are both provocative and demanding as they invite you to consider the reality of your faith and trust in God, especially in times of personal angst or when your world may be falling apart.
Throughout the book we read how Habakkuk experienced a range of emotions as he braced himself for the pain and suffering that awaited his community and others as their world began to fall apart.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,"
In Habakkuk’s day the circumstances were grim for the people of Judah as the prophet confronted the horrors that awaited them: though … does not, though … fails, though there are no …
Fill in the blanks by identifying the difficult personal circumstances that you are facing.
"yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
No matter what.
The prospects for Habakkuk’s community were tragic in human, financial and economic terms.
When personal circumstances are difficult, blessings are few or you are facing desperately crushing times, can you echo the brave words of Habakkuk, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord”?
The location of Habakkuk’s joy is not in his grim circumstances, nor in a place, but in his Great God. He stands in awe – lost in wonder, love and praise. Only through prayer, silence, listening and remembering, is he is able to see beyond his own circumstances and pin his hope on a personal relationship with the God who rescues him. His security is firmly located in “God my Saviour.”
If you can truly echo the words, “my Saviour,” they have the potential to realign your mindset towards, and your attitude in, the difficult circumstances that you may be facing.
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."
Even though he may have felt weak or powerless in the situation, Habakkuk is able to rise above his circumstances and boldly declare that, not only is the Lord his salvation – his rescuer – but He is also his strength. It is God who enables Habakkuk to do this by making his feet like the feet of a deer, so that he can walk in and through those tough and horrible high places.
Therein lies your hope. When aspects of your world are falling apart, you can only rejoice in the Lord as He gives you the strength to do so. God doesn’t promise that you will never face difficult or heart-breaking situations, and never assures a smooth or easy path in life. But as the dependable and faithful rock that Habakkuk declared him to be, He promises never to leave you or forsake you.
We can learn from Habakkuk that if we trust God, put our faith in Him, pray to Him, fall silent before Him, listen to and remember Him, He will change us, and give us the faith, hope and confidence to tread the high places. Moreover, we will reach a place of unspeakable joy, assured salvation and enduring strength.
As you reflect on these striking verses, even though it may be tough, why not bring before God your own high places – the difficult or horrible circumstances that you are facing at this time. As you do this, pray these words of Habakkuk:
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a dear, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
