When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen and there are no cattle in the stalls—I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!
Into the Text
After asking God all of his questions, Habakkuk is able to respond in praise. His confidence rests on the character of the eternal God rather than his present circumstances.
It can be very easy to praise God when everything is going right in your life. It can even be tempting to forget to praise God at all when things are going well. It’s in the moments when life gets hard that we tend to do one of two things. We either curse God or we finally come to Him, looking for help. Sometimes, God does use the hard times, the rock bottom moments, to get us to wake up and turn to Him. The goal for believers, however, is to develop a lifestyle of praise, no matter what is going on.
Habakkuk asks God to act in the same way He did in the past. He remembers the stories of God’s miraculous deeds in creating the earth and rescuing Israel from Egypt. He knows that God is the same, so He can deliver His people and punish the Babylonians.
We, too, have these moments of remembrance in our own lives. They are moments when we’ve seen God show up, and they help us continue to hold on to hope in the present. Just because God showed up in one way in the past doesn’t mean He will show up in the same way the next time. We are reminded, however, that God does care and will come through in His perfect way. Right now we may not be able to see how, but we can trust that He will.
This is why Habakkuk’s prayer is so powerful. Even if. Even if nothing changes in his circumstances. Even if there is no food or animals, Habakkuk says that He will continue to praise the Lord.
No matter what is going on in your life, may you find ways to be reminded of God’s track record in His Word, in the world, in your life, and in the lives of those around you. May you seek Him wholeheartedly, allowing Him into the very depths of your heart, and may your praise to God be founded in trust and joy. For He will come through.
Prayer
God, you have shown up in my life in little and big ways. Even though I cannot see what you are doing right now, I trust you. Holy Spirit, help me to develop a lifestyle of praise. Amen.