Habakkuk 3 - 4.1.26

Scripture

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3: 17-19)

Observation

Habakkuk was going through a season of suffering and disappointment and delay in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. Instead of getting discouraged, he chose to rejoice in the Lord. The fig trees did not bear fruit. The vines did not bear grapes. The olive crop failed. The fields produced no food. There were no sheep and no cattle. It was a state of complete poverty when provision failed. Yet, the prophet chose to look at God’s face and rejoice, knowing that He is faithful, and His promises would definitely come to pass, even though it is delayed.

He finds his strength in the Lord. He trusts that the Lord has made his feet like that of a deer. A deer has the unique ability to scale heights and walk on the ledges of the mountains, and confidently walk on steep dangerous terrain. The Lord makes our feet like that of a deer, so that we can scale the terrain in front of us, however hard it is. This promise is also seen in Psalms 18, where David says “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” (Psalms 18:33). 

Application

Our trust in God should not be based on the benefits we receive from Him. Sometimes God allows us to go through difficulties to see if we really trust Him. Even when prayers don’t seem to be answered, and God’s promises are not being worked out, we need to trust Him. He who promised is faithful, and He will do it (Heb 10:23). The Bible says that the promise has an appointed time and will not fail - even though it delays, it will certainly come to pass (Hab 2:3). Let us be like Mary who believed what God promised her, though it was totally humanly impossible. The scripture says “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45). Let us cling to the Lord in faith, not wavering in faith (Rom 4:20), as His word and His promises will not fail even if heaven and earth pass away (Matt 24:35).

In times of discouragement, let us strengthen ourselves in the Lord, like how David did when he lost everything and his own friends were ready to kill him (1 Sam 30:6). We have no other source of strength other than the Lord. Blessed is the man (and the woman) whose strength is in the Lord (Psalms 84:5). 

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you because you love me. I love you, and I am called according to your purpose. Therefore you will make all things work together for good for me (Rom 8:24). Help me to not lose heart at discouragements. Help me to trust you, even when I don’t understand. Thank you because you are faithful. You have engraved me in the palm of your hands (Isaiah 49:16). Not even a hair of mine will fall to the ground without you knowing it (Matt 10:30-31). You have hedged me from behind and before, and laid your hand upon me (Ps 139:5). Make your way straight before my face (Ps 5:8). Set your eyes on me and guide me, and teach me the way that I should go (Ps 32:8). Be my strength. Help me to live my life everyday, setting my hope in you, and fixing my eyes on the face of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of my faith (Heb 12:2). You are my strength. Your promises to me will not fail, as your word is set in heaven forever (Ps 119:89). I will look to you alone. You have promised that those who look to you are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame (Ps 32:8). For in the time of trouble, You will hide me in your pavilion, and in the secret place of Your tabernacle. You will set me high upon a rock. (Ps 27:5). Thank you Lord because I can trust in you. Thank you because I am your responsibility. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen

- Asha Chacko George