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. Hab. 3:17-19 NLT
Heavenly Father, what a great and necessary passage to keep close to heart. I have many friends who are living in difficult situations, over which they have little control or any reasonable hope of a desired outcome. But no matter how different storylines play out, all of us want to be able to say with Habakkuk, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”
Not as stoics, but as worshippers; not as those in denial, but as those in Christ; not with passive resignation, but with active adoration, we declare our hope in you, Father. We are rooted in your love and standing in your grace—the surest footing imaginable. Deer can tread the heights of mountains, but you have seated us in the heavenly places in Jesus. Thank you.
In these coming hours, days, and weeks, may we—your children, trust your heart even when we can’t see your hand or like your ways. If you don’t bring healing, then grant sufficient grace, like you did for Paul (2 Cor. 12). If you don’t bring deliverance from hard scenarios, then bring my friends deliverance in those very scenarios—whatever that might look like, Father.
We know, according to your Word, that you are at work in all things for our good—no exceptions (Rom. 8:28). Make this palpably real and sweet to us, until the Day of all things new, and all tears wiped. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.