Habakkuk 3

“Though the fig tree may not blossom

Nor fruit be on the vines

Though the labour of the olive may fail

And the fields yield no food

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold

And there be no herd in the stalls

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord

I will joy in the God of my salvation

The Lord is my strength

He will make my feet like a deer’s feet

And He will make me walk on my high hills”

                                                            Habakkuk 3 vs 17 – 19

This passage speaks to many people in many different ways. We all have needs and wants in different parts of our lives and some may scream their presence louder than others. For the writer of this piece, his needs were food production, and his farm animals. Now to us this may seem un-relatable; thus we exchange it for things that are of vital importance to our own context. Be it a job, a spouse, good health, peaceful environment, even basic food and hygiene. We take a lot of things for granted.

The point of this passage is not to look at how much we lack, or to try and make ourselves feel better about it. But it is rather to help us to focus our eyes on the strengthener, to acknowledge His ability to build us up and give us direction, confidence and protection especially when we walk on the uncertain parts of the high mountains that life will bring our way.

Psalms 23 speaks about how God leads our path for His name’s sake, both besides the still waters and in the valley of the shadow of death. It does not matter where our paths go, as long as the Lord is the one leading us, we are sure of success.

1 Peter 1 vs 3 – 5 says that ‘God has already divinely empowered us with everything we need in order to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in His own glory and goodness.’ This assures us that we do not have to ask God to give us what we need to face the empty barn, the barren fig tree and poor olive harvest. We already have what we need in order to survive that time of our lives. What we do need is to affirm ourselves of His faithfulness. 

He will provide our strength, He will make us as sure-footed as a deer, and He will keep us safe on those mountains. It is not because of any value of our own but rather for His name’s sake.

Don’t forget the last part, which I think is the best attitude to keep in whatever season you face;

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord

I will joy in the God of my salvation”