Habakkuk 3:17-18: “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.” [NIV]
We have been looking at Habakkuk’s prayer following his conversation with God about the discipline God was about to minister to the nation of Judah, the people of Israel. Habakkuk had initially been appalled that God would use a nation, Babylon, even more unrighteous than Israel to bring about that discipline. God promised Habakkuk that Babylon would also be judged when her time came.
Habakkuk wrestled for a while in his prayer, but eventually came to settle things in his spirit. He decided he could wait patiently for Babylon’s judgment to happen. He also decided that even while God’s discipline fell upon Israel, Habakkuk would rejoice in the LORD and be joyful in God his Savior.
That was no easy commitment. He was looking on difficult times. He described them by using terms that describe a famine…fruit trees that don’t produce, vines that are barren, pasture and stalls empty. Famine in the natural as invasion ensued.
But I think that Habakkuk also understood that there would be a famine in the spiritual as well. When Israel fell victim to Babylon and was carried off into captivity, Solomon’s great temple was destroyed. The priesthood was scattered. The daily sacrifices and singing and offerings were gone. Still, Habakkuk grew to understand that he could still rejoice, he could still be joyful because God had not abandoned them. He would be with them in Babylon just as He was with them in the Promised Land.
The writer of Hebrews expressed it this way, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” [Heb 13:5 NIV]
Thank you, Father, for Your Promised Presence with us always. Amen.
