February 27, 2002

Reading: Hab: 3:17-19

 

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (18)

 

If we are asked to turn to the book of Habakkuk by our Sunday School teacher, most if us will be slightly embarrassed as it takes a long time of flipping pages to find it. Those of us who are not so proud may even deign to look in the index of our Bible to see exactly where it is to be found. Yet this little three chapter book contains some of the most wonderful concepts in God’s revelation to man. If asked, “Where do we find the words, “The just shall live by faith”? most would reply, “In Romans”. While that is true, Paul was quoting from Habakkuk 2:4. Most of us know the Bible tells us that God cannot look upon sin, yet would be hard pressed to know where it is. “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil” is Habakkuk 1:13. Another gem found in this wonderful “minor prophet” is our reading for this week. To get the full impact of these words read the entire third chapter. This is referred to as a prayer, and a casual perusal of these words will determine that the prophet asked for only one thing, “O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years” (2). He continues to exalt the greatness of God (3-5), His displeasure and judgment (6-15), its effect on the prophet (16) and his wonderful statement of faith (17-19). The last three verses are like poetry:

“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 –

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 

Would to God that our faith was like this -

“Though I lose my job, and the source of my income cease;

Though money is scarce, and I struggle to put food on the table;

Though my health has failed, and I cannot do what I used to –

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation!”

 

Instead of wallowing in our plight and battering the throne of God with our depressions and disappointments, we should joy, not in our problems but “in the God of our salvation.” If all that we considered necessary to sustain our lives was taken away, would we still “rejoice in the LORD”? Paul and Silas, beaten with rods, chained and thrown into prison, at midnight were heard “praying and singing hymns to God” Acts 16:25. The two missionaries in Afghanistan who were jailed by the Taliban for preaching Christianity, testify to praying and singing hymns. Martin and Gracie Burnham, held captive by terrorists in the Philippines since last May, according to those released, spend their time ministering to the needs of the other captives while their physical health rapidly declines. Truly, these and many others in similar circumstances will testify along with Habakkuk, “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” (19).

Be it in our every day life or in very trying circumstances, God will prove Himself our Strength as we, in faith, turn from our immediate situations to Him with joy and rejoicing. May God grant to each one of us the strength and desire to prove Him, not only in the good times, but when things get tough.