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. Hab. 3:17-19 NIV
Heavenly Father, thank you for including Habakkuk’s faith-struggle in your Word. Sometimes we live with the illusion—make that, the lie, that if our lives were really pleasing to you, we wouldn’t have to go through difficult stuff. Where did we ever get the notion that the “blessed” life was an easy life? Why did we ever think the “abundant life” would only include an abundance of creature comforts, predictable storylines, and happy outcomes?
Here’s the redemptive “skinny” and liberating bottom line: Because the gospel is true—because you’ve saved us by your grace and robed us in Jesus’ righteousness, made us children of your delight and citizens of heaven… because all this IS true, we can trust you, and we will rejoice in you. It’s not that hard things don’t hurt. It’s not that we won’t feel sad and mad, confused and alone. But we can, and will, trust you Father.
Though the doctor’s report says the cells are malignant, we will rejoice in you. Though our children still think our faith is silly, the Bible is fable, and life is futile, we will rejoice in you. Though our pastor fails us, a co-worker slanders us, or a friend betrays us, we will rejoice in you.
Though our investments go down, or our furnaces blow up; our dream job is now a nightmare, or our vacation gets canceled, we will rejoice in you. Though the house contract falls through, or our insurance doesn’t pay up, we will rejoice in you.
Though it rains on our daughter’s wedding, or our son gets kicked out of college, we will rejoice in you. Father, you are at work in all things, all the time, (no exceptions), for your glory and our good. Here’s to deer-like feet and grace-filled hearts! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and trustworthy name.