Habakkuk 3:17

S 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.

O Habakkuk the prophet was in dialogue and having a conversation with the Lord. Habakkuk kept asking God when He was going to save his people from their enemies and God said over and over to watch as He brings the strongest armies to ruin and rescues and restores his people. The entire book goes back and forth just like that and at the very end Habakkuk’s closing words are surprising and inspiring. he says “Though I haven’t seen anything fixed yet….though I don’t see life, I will rejoice! Out of obedience and deep trust I will be joyful because I know God will save me!”

A So many times I have conversations with God about when He’s going to fix something or rescue me from a situation or give me more specific direction. And I always rejoice when He does! But, how often do I forget to rejoice and praise Him before I see life, before I see the change, just while I’m waiting? It can be so difficult when there’s no food or cattle or healthy land (literally or metaphorically) to choose to be joyful.

P God I know that you are my Savior. You have proved it to me over and over. Help me to put on that Spirit of Joy that comes from knowing you are saved. help me to believe that you will rescue me and trust you enough to wait for you to do it in Your timing, which is perfect! Amen.

1. This entry was posted on Monday, August 6th, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Journal Entry, Rachel Poetzl. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.