“Though the fig tree doesn’t bud and there aren’t any grapes on the vines… I will rejoice in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength” (Hab.3:17-19)—“my portion and my double portion” (Lam.3:24, Isa.61:7), “my peace and my joy” (Eph.2:14, Ps.16:11), “my righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1Cor.1:30), and a whole lot more.
Lord Jesus, thank you for including Habakkuk’s confusion and confession in your Word. Some of us were wrongly taught if our lives were pleasing to you or if we had enough faith, we wouldn’t experience hardships and heartaches. That’s wishful thinking—actually, it’s harmful teaching, not Gospel-reality.
We have infinite, copious, “jaw-dropping” reasons to love and trust you—no matter our circumstances, current story, or unknown future. You gave us a new birth, eternal life, a new heart, your perfect righteousness, a place in Abba’s family, a life of union and communion with yourself, and the guarantee of heaven that’s 10,000 times more “heavenly” than we realize —to name 7 of the incalculable riches you’ve already given us.
But hard things still hurt—and they should. The Gospel makes us more human, not less. At times we feel sad, mad, fearful, and confused. But resting in your sovereignty and love is a gazillion-times better than getting our way, having control, and never hurting. One Day we will believe that 100%.
So, though the lab results aren’t what we hoped for, world leaders are playing Monopoly with real money and your universe, our kids are faith-chilled, we’re beginning the summer in an unexpected “transition”—we will love, trust, and seek to honor you, Jesus.
You never told us to put on a happy face; but you did tell us, “put on Christ” (Rom. 13:14). It’s not always going to hurt this bad, feel this vulnerable, or be this crazy. You are making all things new and will complete the “job” of all-cosmos transformation. Hallelujah, thank you, and So Very Amen.
