Habakkuk 3:17-19
A Hymn of Faith
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls-
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
As we go through life we all go through rough places or times...Habakkuk was going through one of those rough times, when he wrote these verses. Israel was under attack...and when he cried out to the Lord for help, God informed him that the Chaldeans, "A bitter and hasty nation" would come and overtake Israel. As you might imagine, this was not what Habakkuk was wanting to hear...but the Lord told him to write out the vision and wait for it's fulfillment, for "the just shall live by his faith". In other words, God is saying, though it may be a long time before you see these things come about, keep watching, keep believing, keep your faith, because "the just shall live by his faith" - If you lose your faith, you surely won't make it!!
Habakkuk's was afraid when he heard all that God was telling him. Chapter 3:2 "O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;" But in the following verses Habakkuk reminds himself of the glory and power of God. After 15 verses of remembering the greatness and fullness of God...Habakkuk suddenly is filled with "A Hymn of Faith" And wrote out verses 17-19.
What can we learn from this?
God always has a plan, and though we may not always like it, God will get us through the rough places if we keep our faith!!
When the circumstances around us cause fear to rise in our hearts, we need to remind ourselves, of the God we serve, and turn fear into faith.
When we turn fear into faith...we will find the Joy of the Lord, and God will be our strength to get us through the rough spots in life.
I am so glad we serve a living, powerful, merciful and loving God!!
God is good!!
