A Prophets Hope

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A Prophets Hope

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17    Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

       the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

       the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

18    yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

           I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19    God, the Lord, is my strength;

           he makes my feet like the deer’s;

he makes me tread on my high places. [1]

 

Devotion

 

Today may seem like the day in which Habakkuk was writing. All of life appears

to be on a downward spiral. The corona virus is ravaging our country. There is political unrest and crime in our streets. There are fires in California and tropical storms on our coasts. It seems as if this country might be under God’s wrath with no end in sight. We seem to be where the prophet was in terms of the judgement of God.

            There is a need for national repentance from our usual lives. The love of many has grown cold. The country seems to be headed in the wrong direction and there seem to be no prophets calling for us to turn around before we hit bottom. The country is split down the middle politically and our political leaders seem to be unable to work together to stop the downward spiral of events.

            So, what does Habakkuk do in the midst of his distress over the state of his nation? He names the sources of his distress and then he praises God. How can this be we may ask? Has the prophet lost his mind? Not at all. Habakkuk simply knows that no matter how difficult life’s circumstances may be God is good and God is in control.

If we are disciples of Jesus, we know that God has saved us as his own treasured possession. God is our strength in this hour of need and there is nothing stronger than God. Not fire, flood, crime, or political malpractice can defeat our savior. With God by our side we have nothing to fear. No reason for anxiety. No place for depression or despair.

So, let us join with Habakkuk and praise the Lord today.

            Praise to you almighty Father in heaven. You alone are worthy of our praise. We give all our praise and adoration to you. Because you stretched the heavens out across the universe and yet you care for the smallest of birds. All glory, laud and honor to you our redeemer king. You saved us from everlasting destruction by your work on the cross and the empty tomb. You made the way that we could follow you to heaven for all eternity. We praise you because you watch over us every second of every day and will provide for us ultimate victory over hell, the world, and the flesh. Amen


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Hab 3:17–19.

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