“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, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength…” Hab. 3:17-19
Heavenly Father, thank you for including Habakkuk’s faith-struggle in your Word. Sometimes it’s the stories that voice doubt, weakness, and a blank stare that help us the most. Habakkuk was deeply troubled by your choice to use a pagan nation (the Babylonians) to discipline your people. Fig-less, grape-less, olive-less days were coming. The threat of barren fields and empty stalls fueled fear, anger, and vulnerability.
Habakkuk’s resolution to rejoice in you—to trust you as his Savior and Sovereign in most unsettling circumstances, wasn’t stoicism (keeping a stiff upper lip), foolishness (spitting in the wind), or denial (detachment, spinning, and pretending). It was honest lament, taking baby-steps by faith in the darkness, and utterly abandoning himself to you.
Habakkuk knew your goodness before his faith crisis. And he knew your promise to one Day “fill the earth with the knowledge of your glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab.2:14). In between the two, life got very hard and his faith got really tested.
Abba, Father… this is where some of my friends are living right now—in the challenging in-between-space… between knowing what you’ve done for us in Jesus and waiting for the Day when you’ll make all things new. Between Jesus’ resurrection and return many things can happen that make our heads spin, our hearts struggle, and our faith teeter. That’s where you meet us, hold us, and hold us even tighter. We’d love answers, but you give us grace. Thank you Abba. In this day, we long for the Day. So Very Amen.
