Habakkuk’s Hope—Day 4
Habakkuk 3: 17, 18
“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord.”
Many theologians have considered the conclusion of Habakkuk to be seen as a demonstration of the great affirmations of faith.
This is the type of faith we believers must take hold of so that we too, like Habakkuk, may be able to live hopeful in the midst of desolate and stressful times.
Habakkuk realizes that God’s judgement must come upon the faithful remnant of Judah, and even the prophet will suffer from the loss of all those things that sustain life.
However, Habakkuk is convinced he will live again! He will rejoice again! And, he will climb to the highest point of the mountain!
Perhaps we all should live with such convictions. We will live again! We will rejoice again! And once again, we will ascend to the top of the mountains!
Perhaps the challenge is getting back to the “again” part. Oh, how often do we strive to keep things from going south.
How much energy we put into building a life for ourselves! And the thought of losing so much due to others does not seem right.
In our scripture passage, no where do we detect a hint of resistance or reticence. There is not even a trace of tension recognized in the devotional passage.
On yesterday we mentioned that Habakkuk was quietly waiting for unavoidable suffering.
Although some of us may know how to be quiet when awaiting or experiencing hardship, however, is there a fight taking place within us?
Question: How can we be full of tension or anger and still be able to give God praise?
Should not our hope in God impact the tension or anger we experience in our hearts?
Lord, we pray that our character will be well able to endure all things and still give you praise, Amen.
