Hi guys, welcome to this weeks episode where we find ourselves in the 3rd chapter of Habakkuk. The last episode showed the words of God sinking to the depths of his heart, words to stand strong in tough times: “The righteous will live by his faith, and no Habakkuk, you will not see immediate justice, and no — you will not escape suffering, but … you will survive as you remain faithful. Yes! I (God) will bring you through the worst of times.”
So although Babylon would come and leave his city in ruins and his people captive - God showed Habakkuk a vision of Babylon’s pride and its eventual fall, of God’s own glory filling the earth as the waters cover the sea. I imagine the prophet trembling at the power and holiness of the Lord. (Last week we heard a song that he sang on the city wall as the sun went down over Jerusalem, click here)
It ended in silence: “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
There were no more arguments. No more protests. Only awe.
And in that holy hush, something broke open inside him: a gift. A precious gift from the throne-room of God: A gift of faith.
He saw it all — ruined fields, empty barns, toppled walls, temple burned.
Yet he saw beyond it, past the tragedy and lack, and all the way to the faithfulness of God.
The tears streamed down his face as he lifted his voice with words of hope, words that Tattooed to his heart — burning through his fears, and bringing beauty from the ashes to come.
This was not denial. It was not a naïve optimism. It was faith refined by fire, a decision to praise God even in devastation.
“Even though the fig tree does not blossom 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 deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Habakkuk stood at the edge of everything falling apart, and chose to rejoice! Wow.
Imagine seeing no food in your pantry, your home and city destroyed, the worst of the worst. (On a side note, Jesus was honest enough to tell Christians that they would have much trouble in the world).
Because Habakkuk saw the God who rules over the nations. The God whose purposes go beyond the rise and fall of empires and dictators. The God who would not forget His promise or His people.
And in that moment, there amidst the ashes, Habakkuk received a peace that truly passes all understanding. I don’t suppose he could explain it, but he knew who it came from.
And he knew that for all who hold on to faith, there is hope beyond ruin, joy beyond sorrow, life beyond suffering, and love beyond death.
As you listen to the poem, may your life turn into a song that speaks Hallelujah despite the hardships.
Be blessed.
Tune in next time for more stuff from the prophet Jeremiah. Words more relevant today than ever before.
This episode was inspired by: | Habakukk chapter 3 | John 16 | Revelations 18 |
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