Daily Blast - Minor Prophets: Day 24
Scripture
“17 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,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.”
Reflection
The last chapter of Habakkuk is the prophet’s final prayer to God. He begins by expressing his awe at God’s ‘amazing works’ (v.2) and paints a vivid picture of God’s power, and how He is in control of the earth and all nations. Nature obeys him, He’s even in control of the ‘everlasting mountains’ and ‘eternal hills’ (v.6), parts of nature that have formed slowly over time and seem unconquerable to us mere humans. All of the impending danger from the Babylonians causes Habakkuk to ‘tremble inside’ and ‘[shake] in terror’ (v.16).
But then at the end of the chapter, after listing all of the terrifying things that are about to come, we read the verses that are above.
These three verses are a powerful declaration of faith. Despite all of the uncertainty and devastation that is coming his way, ‘even though’ the harvest might fail and there might be pain and suffering, Habakkuk is choosing to trust in God, get his strength from Him, and be joyful.
Challenge
I think that this declaration is SO relevant today to what we’re all living through in lockdown. There’s so much uncertainty, the papers are saying one thing one day and something completely different the next. We have the very real prospect of catching a horrible virus or even losing loved ones. And there’s no guarantee of a vaccine in the near future…
There are a lot of things that could cause us to tremble just like Habakkuk. And if you are worried and struggling, that’s ok. We’re all collectively going through something big right now, and everyone is struggling, so you’re not alone.
The main thing we can remember is that ‘even though’ it’s all a bit crazy around us right now, we can still ‘take joy’ and praise God. ‘Even though’ we don’t know when life will go back to normal, God is still good. ‘Even though’ we’re really struggling to cope, God hasn’t and never will leave us (Psalm 121). We can remember all the times he’s helped us before, and we can remind ourselves of how much he loves us and has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11, and Romans 8:38). Our future is literally in His hands.
In my Bible, I have pencilled in ‘I WILL TAKE JOY’ next to this passage. Write the same words down on a piece of paper, or in your journal, (or even in your Bible if you like!). Create a spider diagram or list of ways that you are ‘taking joy’ at this time. Maybe you’ve picked up a new hobby, talked to a friend you don’t normally have time to see, or played a silly game with your family. Then add in some key moments where you know God was with you in the past and helped you through a difficult time.
Then, I really encourage you to take your worries and fears to God and tell Him about them. Ask Him to give you the same strength that Habakkuk had when faced with difficulty. And trust that He will help you through this time just like He’s helped you before!